# NTSB CEN09CA321: Cessna U206C, N3970G, Brainerd, MN, May 25, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 25, 2009, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Brainerd, MN
- Coordinates: 46.034999, -94.134719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0350&lon=-94.1347&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73922
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA321
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73922/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73922
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA321

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in gusty winds.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2073332), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna U206C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2073332), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073332), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna U206C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073332), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, prior to touchdown on runway 30 (4,080 feet long by 75 feet wide), the amphibious airplane experienced a gust of wind from the right. The airplane touched down "very hard" on its left side and the left outside wheel of the main landing gear separated. The airplane came to rest on the edge of runway 30. The pilot reported that the winds were "variable and very gusty between ground level and 3,000 feet [above ground level]." Examination of the airplane revealed the fuselage was wrinkled on both sides.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, prior to touchdown on runway 30 (4,080 feet long by 75 feet wide), the amphibious airplane experienced a gust of wind from the right. The airplane touched down "very hard" on its left side and the left outside wheel of the main landing gear separated. The airplane came to rest on the edge of runway 30. The pilot reported the winds were "variable and very gusty between ground level and 3,000 feet [above ground level]." Examination of the airplane revealed the fuselage was wrinkled on both sides. The pilot had accumulated 4,333 total flight hours and 1,039 flight hours in the accident airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3970G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3970G), registered now, S/N U206-0970, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206C
- Registry model: [Cessna U206C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206c) (registry code 2073332) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U206-0970
- Airframe hours: 4484
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 2009
- Departed: Avon, MN
- Destination: BRD, Brainerd, MN
- Airport: BRD, Brainerd Lakes Regional Airpor, runway 30, 4,080 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 4,333 total, 1,039 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## Other investigations on N3970G (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 CHI87LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA134), May 29, 1987: Cessna U206C (N3970G), Grand Rapids, MN, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73922. 467 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 321 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314899&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- NASA Report (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314900&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NASA%20Report%20(Pilot)-Redacted.PDF

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.

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