# NTSB ANC98LA060: Cessna U206, N414UJ, Fairbanks, AK, May 30, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 1998, 18:00 local (May 30, 1998, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.81044, -147.719421 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8104&lon=-147.7194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 17, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3148 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3148/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA060 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident are variable winds, and windshear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) - go-around - attempted, pilot in command - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported he was on short final approach to a remote airstrip. He said the airplane was about 20 feet above the ground, when a strong windshear was encountered. He applied full power in an attempt to go-around, but the airspeed dropped rapidly, and the airplane lost altitude and was pushed to the left. The airplane collided with trees along the left side of the runway. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 1998, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna U206 airplane, N414UJ, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees while on approach to the Gold King airstrip, located about 38 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. The private pilot/airplane owner and the one passenger aboard were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed Fairbanks about 1800, and the destination was the Gold King airstrip. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on May 31, the pilot related he and a friend were flying to his cabin located near the Gold King airstrip. He said he thought the winds were fairly calm as he approached to land to the west. While on final approach, he said the wind increased to an estimated 25 to 30 miles per hour from the southeast, and a strong downdraft pushed the airplane into trees. The pilot said the airplane was damaged so severely that it may not be repairable. He indicated there was no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot submitted a written report to the NTSB dated June 19. In his written report, the pilot indicated the winds were variable, with a windshear component of plus 15 to minus 25 knots (indicated airspeed) about 20 feet above the ground. He said he applied full power, and attempted to go-around, but the airplane rapidly lost airspeed and altitude, and was pushed to the left and into trees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N414UJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N414UJ-2001-12-31), registration cancelled 2001-12-31, S/N U20602683, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna U206 - Registry model: [Cessna U206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206f) (registry code 2073333) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U20602683 - Airframe hours: 3922 - Engines: Continental IO-520-F9K 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bill A. Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1997, 46 hours before - Departed: FAI, AK - Airport: Gold King, runway 27, 2,000 × 75 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,100 total, 600 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 19980529011459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980529011459A), May 29, 1998: Cessna U206F, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot reported he was on short final approach to a remote airstrip. He indicated the airplane was about 20 feet above the ground, when a strong… ## Other investigations on N414UJ (1) 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 ANC76DAH37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH37), Jul 3, 1976: Cessna 206 (N414UJ), Skilak, AK, substantial damage 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.