# NTSB DEN90LA014: Cessna 206F, N33211, Opheim, MT, October 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1989, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Opheim, MT
- Coordinates: 48.870342, -106.559982 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8703&lon=-106.5600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17862/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA014

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN TERRAIN CLEARANCE WHILE EXECUTING A LOW PASS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - low pass - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ravine
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE AND THE PAX WERE EN ROUTE TO OPEIM, MT, WHEN HE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE. HE EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED NORMAL ENGINE OPERATION. SEVERAL 'SPENT' RIFLE CARTRIDGES WERE FOUND IN THE AIRPLANE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THE FLAPS WERE IN THE UP POSITION AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. THE IMPACT MARKS REVEALED THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, STRUCK A RAVINE, BECAME AIRBORNE AND IMPACTED THE UPHILL SIDE OF THE RAVINE BEFORE NOSING OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33211](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33211-2015-05-06), registration cancelled 2015-05-06, S/N U20602671 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 206F
- Registry model: [Cessna U206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206f) (registry code 2073333) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U2060271
- Airframe hours: 3807
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Prunty, Thomas J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1989, 40 hours before
- Departed: GGW, GLASCOW, MT
- Destination: 500, OPHEIM, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19891027048529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891027048529A), Oct 27, 1989: Cessna U206F, Opheim, MT, Substantial damage. Reported engine quit. No defects found. Crashed on upslope.

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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