# NTSB GAA16CA184: Dehavilland DHC 6 Twin Otter, N122PM, Fentress, TX, April 9, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 9, 2016, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Fentress, TX - Coordinates: 29.768611, -97.775558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7686&lon=-97.7756&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92987 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA184 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92987/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92987 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA184 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted landing in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a collision with a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2802606), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2802606), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2802606), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2802606), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2802606), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2802606), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2802606), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2802606), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing in gusty crosswind conditions following a parachute jump flight, and that the gusty conditions had persisted for the previous 10 skydiving flights that day. The pilot further reported that during the landing roll, when the nose wheel touched down, the airplane became "unstable" and veered to the left. He reported that he applied right rudder and added power to abort the landing, but the airplane departed the runway to the left and the left wing impacted a tree. The airplane spun 180 degrees to the left and came to rest after the impact with the tree. The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was landing in gusty crosswind conditions following a parachute jump flight, and that the gusty conditions had persisted for the previous 10 skydiving flights that day. The pilot further reported that during the landing roll, when the nose wheel touched down, the airplane became "unstable" and veered to the left. He reported that he applied right rudder and added power to abort the landing, but the airplane departed the runway to the left and the left wing impacted a tree. The airplane spun 180 degrees to the left and came to rest after the impact with the tree. The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N122PM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N122PM-2019-08-05), registration cancelled 2019-08-05, S/N 15, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND DHC 6 TWIN OTTER (1) - Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-6-twin-otter) (registry code 2802606) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 53624 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-28 (L) 715 horsepower turbo prop; Pratt & Whitney PT6-28 (R) 715 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Operator: Dilkara Leasing LLC. - Registered owner: Dilkara Leasing LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 17, 2015 - Departed: XS90, Fentress, TX - Destination: XS90, Fentress, TX - Airport: XS90, Fentress Airpark, runway 22, 3,200 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 13, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 34; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: lap only ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 15 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: KHYI, 8 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 20160409007409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160409007409A), Apr 9, 2016: Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER, Fentress, TX, Substantial damage. The pilot stabalized for landing at 1000' with flaps down and airspeed of 85 knots. During the landing, pilot experienced a crosswind. He was unable to… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 12, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92987. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440108&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 3, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440109&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 961 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440110&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.