# NTSB ANC97LA088: Cessna 206, N756DJ, Prudhoe Bay, AK, June 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 1997, 16:00 local (Jun 21, 1997, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Prudhoe Bay, AK - Coordinates: 70.430969, -149.289947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=70.4310&lon=-149.2899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3018 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3018/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA088 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight inspection of the airplane and failure to properly secure the baggage door. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, descent - normal - door,cargo/baggage - not secured (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported he was in a descent to land when the cargo door opened and struck the side of the fuselage, causing substantial damage to the airframe. He said he thought he had latched and locked the door properly before he departed on the accident flight, but when it opened, he realized he had not. Postaccident inspection of the door and locking mechanism disclosed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 1997, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N756DJ, operated by Warbelow's Air Adventures as a scheduled commuter flight under 14 CFR Part 135, sustained substantial damage while descending to land at the Deadhorse Airport, Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The solo airline transport pilot was not injured. The flight departed Nuiqsut, Alaska, and was en route to Prudhoe Bay. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. According to the operator, the pilot was flying a scheduled commuter flight route with cargo only aboard. When the pilot reduced engine power and begin to descend for a landing at the Deadhorse Airport, the aft cargo door opened and slammed against the side of the fuselage, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot continued to Prudhoe Bay, and made an uneventful landing. The pilot wrote in his report to the NTSB that he thought he had latched and locked the door, but realized when the door opened that he had not secured it properly. Postaccident inspection of the airplane by FAA inspectors at Fairbanks, Alaska, disclosed damage to fuselage formers and stringers. The door latching mechanism was also examined and found to function satisfactorily, with no observed mechanical deficiencies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N756DJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N756DJ), registered now, S/N U20604005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 206 - Registry model: [Cessna U206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206g) (registry code 2073356) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20604005 - Airframe hours: 5766 - Engines: Continental IO-520-F13B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Warbelow'S Air Adventures - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 28, 1997, 52 hours before - Departed: AQT, NUIQSUT, AK - Destination: PASC - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 6,200 total, 500 in this make and model, 6,100 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 13 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970620015909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970620015909A), Jun 20, 1997: Cessna U206G, Deadhorse, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft rear cargo door opened during flight. (.4) the pilot reported he was in a descent to land when the cargo door opened and struck the side of the… ## Other investigations on N756DJ (3) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB WPR20CA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA232), Jul 11, 2020: Cessna U206 (N756DJ), Nenana, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a soft field takeoff on a dirt airstrip, which resulted in an impact with a vehicle. - [NTSB ANC13CA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA046), Apr 24, 2013: Cessna U206G (N756DJ), Nenana, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: Ice accretion in the right main landing gear wheel brake during departure, which prevented the right main landing gear from rotating on landing and resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent… - [NTSB ANC01LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA057), May 15, 2001: Cessna 206 (N756DJ), Stebbins, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A jammed control yoke during landing, an entangled wiring harness, and inadequate maintenance by company personnel. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's inability to flare the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.