# NTSB FTW89LA101: Cessna 206D, N72279, Saint Jo, TX, May 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1989, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Saint Jo, TX
- Coordinates: 33.690158, -97.520072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6902&lon=-97.5201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22869
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22869/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA101

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT TO TAKEOFF FROM A FIELD THAT WAS NOT SUITABLE FOR SUCH PURPOSE.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN AN UNIMPROVED FIELD DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. THEY REMAINED ON THE GROUND FOR FOUR AND ONE HALF HOURS UNTIL THE WEATHER CLEARED. THE PILOT SAID HE WALKED THE TERRAIN AND HAD FELT IT WAS SAFE TO MAKE A TAKEOFF. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, HE CHANGED HIS MIND AND ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AFTER THE AIRPLANE WAS AIRBORNE. AFTER ABORTING THE TAKEOFF, HE MOVED THE AIRPLANE TO THE LEFT AND KEPT THE NOSEWHEEL OFF THE GROUND AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. WHEN THE NOSEWHEEL TOUCHED, IT RAN THROUGH A SERIES OF RUTS IN THE SURFACE, AND THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED FORWARD TO THE INVERTED POSITION. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72279](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72279-1990-03-26), registration cancelled 1990-03-26, S/N U2061349 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 206D
- Registry model: [Cessna U206D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206d) (registry code 2073342) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U206-1349
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Rounds
- Registered owner: Rounds, Michael T.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Destination: BKD, BRECKENRIDGE, TX
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19890527013359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890527013359A), May 27, 1989: Cessna U206D, Saint Jo, TX, Destroyed. Landed on unimproved strip due to weather. Later began takeoff but aborted due rough field. Hit ruts, nosed over.

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.