# NTSB DEN90LA018: Cessna U206B, N3481L, Billings, MT, November 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 7, 1989, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Billings, MT
- Coordinates: 45.650199, -108.379432 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6502&lon=-108.3794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA018

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT WHILE TAXIING DURING UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT HAD COMPLETED A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE PILOT SAID DURING A TAXIING TURN INTO THE TIEDOWN SPOT, THE ACFT OVERTURNED. THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS FROM 280 DEG AT 29 GUSTING 38 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3481L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3481L-2007-10-04), registration cancelled 2007-10-04, S/N U206-0781, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206B
- Registry model: [Cessna U206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206b) (registry code 2073322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U206-0781
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-540-F9 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry C. Hoffman
- Departed: NONE, HEATH, MT
- Destination: BIL
- Airport: BIL, Billings

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,427 total, 1,180 in this make and model, 1,427 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 29 knots, gusting 38
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891107048549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891107048549A), Nov 7, 1989: Cessna U206B, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. Blown over while turning crosswind to park after landing.

## Other investigations on N3481L (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 CHI69F0483](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69F0483), Feb 2, 1969: Cessna U206 (N3481L), Van Wert, OH, substantial damage

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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