# NTSB ERA19TA211: Cessna 208, N80JF, Plant City, FL, June 29, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report - Date: June 29, 2019, 09:10 local (13:10 UTC) - Place: Plant City, FL - Coordinates: 28.1375, -82.146667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1375&lon=-82.1467&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 99784 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19TA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99784/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99784 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA211 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare due to reduced visibility from a foggy windshield and his failure to use the airplane’s windshield defrost system, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent nose landing gear collapse. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Air conditioning system: heating system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022140): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022140/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022140/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting skydiving operations and that the airplane was on final approach to the runway, about 80 ft above ground level and a "few feet before the threshold," when the airplane's windshield became "foggy" and he could not see the runway. He did not attempt to go around because the skydivers were in the area, and he did not want to hit them or trees surrounding the runway. Review of a witness video recording of the landing revealed that the airplane's nose landing gear contacted the runway first, followed by the main landing gear. The airplane bounced, and the nose landing gear impacted the runway again and then collapsed. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was equipped with a defrost system for the forward cabin windshield. However, the system was likely not being used at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2019, about 0910 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 208B, N80JF, was substantially damaged while landing at Blackwater Creek Ultralight Flightpark (9FD2), Plant City, Florida. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to ISR Aviation LLC and operated as Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 skydiving flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The local flight originated about 0900. According to the pilot, the airplane performed normally during the preflight, takeoff, and skydiving operations. Then, while on the final approach leg to runway 35, about 80 ft above ground level and a "few feet before the threshold," the windshield became "foggy outside" and the pilot could not see the runway. He did not attempt to abort the landing because the jumpers were in the area and he did not want to risk hitting any of them or trees surrounding the runway. The pilot maintained the airplane heading and descent, he felt the main landing gear touchdown, applied reverse thrust, and then felt the nose landing gear collapse before the propeller struck the ground and the airplane came to rest. Review of a witness video recording revealed that during the landing, the nose landing gear contacted the runway first, followed by the main landing gear, and the airplane bounced. Next, the nose landing gear impacted the runway prior to collapsing and the airplane continued down the runway out of view. An examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the nose landing gear separated from the airplane. In addition, part of the fuselage structure and an engine mount were substantially damaged. The pilot completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) and reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Furthermore, in the "Operator/Owner Safety Recommendation" section of the report he stated that the pilot should "use heater/defroster system to prevent sudden visibility restrictions like foggy windshield." A review of the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) indicated that the airplane was equipped with a defrost system for the forward cabin. According to the POH, the "push-pull control, labeled DEFROST-PULL, FWD CABIN-PUSH, is located on the cabin heat switch and control panel. With the control in the DEFROST position (pulled out), forward cabin air is directed to two defroster outlets located at the base of the windshield." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80JF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80JF), registered now, S/N 208B0352, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 208 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b) (registry code 2073701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Honeywell TPE331-12JR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/honeywell-tpe331-12jr) (registry code 33806, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 208B0352 - Year built: 1993 - Engines: Honeywell TPE331-12JR 900 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Operator: ISR Aviation LLC - Registered owner: ISR Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 9FD2, Plant City, FL - Destination: 9FD2, Plant City, FL - Airport: 9FD2, Blackwater Creek, runway 35, 2,300 × 150 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 19, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 6,252 total, 1,545 in this make and model, 2,943 as pilot in command, 188 in the last 90 days, 86 in the last 30 days, 2.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: ZPH, 5 nm away ## 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 20190629008409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190629008409A), Jun 29, 2019: Cessna 208B, Plant City, FL, Substantial damage. On June 29, 2019, at 0930 EST a 1993 Cessna, model 208B, N80JF registered to isr aviation LLC, had a hard landing resulting in a nose gear collapse at Plant… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99784. 7.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483691&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Video of Accident (item 2, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483692&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Video%20of%20Accident-Master.PDF - Investigative Photographs (item 3, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483693&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector (item 4, .PDF, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483694&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Pilot Operating Handbook Excerpt - Defrosting System (item 5, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483695&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Operating%20Handbook%20Excerpt%20-%20Defrosting%20System-Master.PDF 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.