# NTSB DEN99LA138: Cessna TU206A, N4835F, Durango, CO, August 8, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 1999, 23:59 local (Aug 8, 1999, 05:59 UTC) - Place: Durango, CO - Coordinates: 37.269668, -107.879333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2697&lon=-107.8793&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47005 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47005/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA138 ## Probable cause A worn landing nose gear steering system that diminished the ability to steer the airplane. Factors were improper maintenance by unknown persons, and loose gravel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - landing gear,steering system - worn (cause) - maintenance - improper, unknown (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis While landing at the completion of a cross-country flight the airplane departed the side of the runway onto loose gravel during landing roll, and the nose wheel assembly separated. Examination of the airplane disclosed that the nose wheel steering assembly was worn, and improper parts had been substituted. As a result, steering control was diminished. ## Factual narrative On August 7, 1999, at 2359 mountain daylight time, a Cessna TU206A, N4835F, sustained substantial damage when it departed the left side of runway 01 during landing roll at Animas Air Park, Durango, Colorado. The commercial pilot and his four passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Window Rock, Arizona, at 2100. Weather at the time was clear skies with wind from 350 degrees at four knots. According to the pilot, the aircraft had traveled a short distance following a normal touchdown on runway centerline when the aircraft pulled hard to the left and exited the left side of the runway onto a gravel covered area. He said that as the aircraft decelerated through an estimated 10 miles per hour, the nose wheel broke off. Examination of the aircraft by a mechanic employed by Greg's Flying Service, in Durango, provided evidence that the left wing, propeller, and nose landing gear has sustained damage. The mechanic also found that one of the nose wheel steering arm roll pins was missing and a piece of safety wire was substituted, and the other roll pin and roll pin receptacles were worn beyond limits. (See attached diagram.) According to the flying service mechanic, this would cause the nose wheel steering to be sloppy and slow to respond to pilot input. When the nose wheel steering had work performed on it is unknown. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4835F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4835F), registered now, S/N U206-0535 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna TU206A - Registry model: [Cessna TU206A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206a) (registry code 2073318) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U206-0535 - Airframe hours: 3779 - Engines: Continental TSIO520-HCC 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Clark D. Campbell - Registered owner: Deborah L. Langford, Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1999 - Departed: RQE, WINDOW ROCK, AZ - Destination: 5CO0, CO - Airport: 5CO0, Animas Air Park, runway 1, 5,010 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,700 total, 103 in this make and model, 1,538 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DRO ## 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 19990807011079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990807011079A), Aug 7, 1999: Cessna TU206A, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 7, 1999, at 2359 mountain daylight time, a Cessna TU206A, N4835F, sustained substantial damage went it departed the side of the runway during… ## Other investigations on N4835F (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 LAX05CA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA001), Oct 2, 2004: Cessna TU206A (N4835F), Nogales, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to remain on the designated taxiway surface, which resulted in the airplane's collision with the ditch. The dark lighting condition was a factor to the accident. 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.