# NTSB DEN86LA046: Cessna 206, N5173U, Hardin, MT, December 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1985, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Hardin, MT
- Coordinates: 45.69968, -107.690544 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6997&lon=-107.6905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16899
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16899/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER LDG TO THE EAST ON A SNOW COVERED DIRT RWY, THE PILOT ELECTED TO T/O ON AN INTERSECTING RWY TO THE SOUTH. HE COULD NOT SEE THE ENTIRE RWY SURFACE FROM THE POSITION DUE TO DWN SLOPE FROM CENTER OF RWY. THE ACFT IMPACTED SNOWDRIFTS 40-50 MPH ON T/O GND ROLL IN THE UNOBSERVED PORTION OF RWY, DEPARTED RT SIDE OF RWY DOWN 30 DEGREES SLOPING TERRAIN, AND CRASHED IN DEEP SNOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5173U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5173U), registered now, S/N 206-0173, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 206
- Registry model: [Cessna 206](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-206) (registry code 2073302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 206-0173
- Airframe hours: 1931
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO 520A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Reid A. Willey
- Registered owner: Shunn Construction, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1985, 39 hours before
- Destination: 6S6, HARDIN, MT
- Airport: Jip Creek, runway 18, 1,400 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 970 total, 30 in this make and model, 970 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19851214062189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851214062189A), Dec 14, 1985: Cessna 206CESSNA, Hardin, MT, Destroyed. During takeoff roll, struck a snowbank on the runway, veered off the side, down a slope into deep snow.

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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