# NTSB CEN16LA089: Cessna 208B, N617ST, Grand Forks, ND, November 11, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 11, 2015, 09:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Grand Forks, ND - Coordinates: 47.947223, -97.173889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9472&lon=-97.1739&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) not oper: Aircraft loading event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 10 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 92593 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92593/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92593 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly calculate the airplane's weight and balance and center of gravity, which resulted in the tail striking the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: weight/balance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: cG/weight distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) not oper: Aircraft loading event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was conducting a cross-country business flight. He landed the airplane and then taxied to the ramp. The pilot instructed the passengers to remain seated and then deplaned to attach the tailstand, at which point the airplane tipped back and struck the pavement with its tail. The pilot reboarded and instructed the passengers to leave their seats and move forward, and the airplane righted itself. The forward bulkhead for the horizontal stabilizer attachment point was crushed and torn, and three stringers, another bulkhead, and the lower skin were damaged in the accident. The center of gravity (CG) was calculated postaccident based on the available weight and balance data, and it was aft of the CG limit. It is likely that the pilot did not properly calculate the airplane's weight and balance and CG, which resulted in the airplane tipping backward as the pilot attempted to attach the tailstand. ## Factual narrative On November 11, 2015, about 0950 central standard time, a Cessna 208B, N617ST, tipped back and the tail struck the pavement while parked at the ramp at Grand Forks International Airport (KGFK), Grand Forks, North Dakota. The pilot and nine passengers on board were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by Sartec Corporation, Anoka, Minnesota, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and an instrument flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Anoka, Minnesota, approximately 0730, and was destined for KGFK.According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector's statement and the pilot's loss statement, the airplane had landed and had taxied to the ramp. As the pilot got out of the airplane, he instructed the passengers to remain seated. As he deplaned to attach the tail stand, the airplane tipped back and struck the pavement with its tail. The pilot re-boarded and instructed the passengers to leave their seats and move forward. The airplane righted itself. The inspector said the forward bulkhead for the horizontal stabilizer attachment point was crushed and torn, and three stringers, another bulkhead, and the lower skin were damaged. The inspector stated that because of the uncooperative attitude of the pilot, most of their data was derived from the airplane's registered owner, insurance company, and repair facility. In his report, the inspector wrote: "Passenger information included a seating chart showing the location and weights of each individual. Aircraft information included W&B (weight and balance) data and loading chart from the AFM (Airplane Flight Manual) and seat CG (center of gravity) location from STC'd (Supplemental Type Certificate) interior data. Fuel load was derived from [the] pilot's statement on the insurance loss statement, which was 800 pounds. With that information a weight and balance was calculated and the aircraft's center of gravity (CG) was found to be aft of the aft CG limit." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N617ST](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N617ST), registered now, S/N 208B1044, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 208B - Registry model: [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b) (registry code 2073701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 208B1044 - Year built: 2004 - Engines: PRATT & WHITNEY PT6A-114A 675 horsepower turbo prop; PRATT & WHITNEY PT6A-114A 675 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Sartec Corp - Registered owner: Sartec Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KANE, ANOKA, MN - Destination: KGFK, GRAND FORKS, ND - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: KGFK, Grand Forks International - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 6,814 total, 4 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 12 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KGFK ## 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 20151111020679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151111020679A), Nov 11, 2015: Cessna 208B, Grand Forks, ND, Substantial damage. Aircraft on flight from anoka county airport to gfk on N0V 11, 2015. After aircraft was loaded and pilot on board gnd personnel removed and stowed tail stand.… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 27, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92593. 632 KB in all. - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437501&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Pilot's Insurance Loss Statement (item 2, .PDF, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437505&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Insurance%20Loss%20Statement-Master.PDF - Temporary Repairs Made (item 3, .PDF, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437507&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Temporary%20Repairs%20Made-Master.PDF - FAA Ferry Permit (item 4, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437508&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Ferry%20Permit-Master.PDF - Permanent Repairs Made (item 5, .PDF, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437509&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Permanent%20Repairs%20Made-Master.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. --- 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.