# NTSB DEN83LA175: Cessna U206E, N9403G, Bryce Canyon, UT, July 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1983, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Bryce Canyon, UT
- Location: 37.6283° N, 112.1677° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bryce Canyon, UT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6283&lon=-112.1677&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16125
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16125/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA175

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Forced landing, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather forecast - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - separation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE ENROUTE TO ALBUQUERQUE FROM LAS VEGAS HE ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WEATHER THAT HE COULD NOT GET AROUND HE TRIED TO CLIMB OVER IT BUT WAS UNABLE. ONCE CLEAR OF CLOUD HE DESCENDED TRYING TO GET BACK TO BRYCE CANYON. AS THE CEILING LOWERED HE BEGAN TO LOOK FOR A PLACE TO LAND. THE RAIN CONTINUED AND HE WAS FORCED TO LAND IMMEDIATELY IN A FIELD. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A RUT AND WENT INTO ROUGHER TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STRUCK A MOUNTAIN OF DIRT AND ROCKS SHEARING THE NOSE WHEEL OFF, STANDING THE AIRPLANE ON END, TIPPING OVER TO HIT THE LEFT WING AND FALLING BACK ON THE MAIN GEAR. ACCORDING TO THE FSS SPECIALIST THE PILOT WAS ADVISED OF DETERIORATING WEATHER ALONG THE MOUNTAINS IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN UTAH (VICINITY OF BRYCE CANYON).

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9403G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206E
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20601603
- Airframe hours: 2970
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert O.Kurth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1983
- Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 374 total, 74 in this make and model, 339 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- 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 19830722039949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830722039949A), Jul 22, 1983: Cessna U206E, Bryce Canyon, UT, Substantial damage. Opearted VFR into IMC. Was forced to land on rough ground and nosed up. Advised of deteriorated enroute weather.

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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