# NTSB GAA16CA308: Cessna 208, N750Z, Fort Dodge, IA, June 5, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 5, 2016, 06:30 local (11:30 UTC) - Place: Fort Dodge, IA - Coordinates: 42.552501, -94.183334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5525&lon=-94.1833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Prior to flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Prior to flight: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 9 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93374 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA308 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93374/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93374 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA308 ## Probable cause The flight crew's failure to install the tail stand prior to passenger boarding, which resulted in a tail strike. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Loading](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md) - [Empennage structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035500): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Not inspected; cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035500/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in command reported that during the loading of the seventh and final passenger, the airplane tipped onto its tail and impacted the ramp surface. He further reported that the tail stand was not installed and neither he nor the co-pilot noticed the omission before passenger loading began. According to the National Transportation Safety Board Accident/ Incident report form 6120.1 submitted by the operator; after a review of pictures sent to company maintenance, no "major damage" was visually identified, the airplane was released for service, and the flight crew completed the revenue flight. After the airplane reached a company domicile, the airplane was "grounded" after a further visual inspection revealed substantial damage to the aft bulkhead. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in command reported that during the loading of the seventh and final passenger, the airplane tipped onto its tail and impacted the ramp surface. He further reported that the tail stand was not installed and neither he nor the co-pilot noticed the omission before passenger loading began. According to the National Transportation Safety Board Accident/ Incident report form 6120.1 submitted by the operator; after a review of pictures sent to company maintenance, no "major damage" was visually identified, the airplane was released for service, and the flight crew completed the revenue flight. After the airplane reached a company domicile, the airplane was "grounded" after a further visual inspection revealed substantial damage to the aft bulkhead. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N750Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N750Z), registered now, S/N 208B1054, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 208 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b) (registry code 2073701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 208B1054 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 6950.9 - Engines: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA PT6A-114A 675 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Multi Aero Inc., doing business as Air Choice One - Registered owner: Multi Aero Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, June 1, 2016 - Departed: FOD, Fort Dodge, IA - Destination: STL, ST LOUIS, MO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FOD, Fort Dodge Rgnl - Equipment: Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 18, 2016; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 6,078 total, 766 in this make and model, 4,578 as pilot in command, 290 in the last 90 days, 91 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 22; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 21, 2016; seat: right; restraint: none; flight hours: 809 total, 118 in this make and model, 601 as pilot in command, 118 in the last 90 days, 97 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KFOD ## 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 20160605008589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160605008589A), Jun 5, 2016: Cessna 208B, Fort Dodge, IA, Substantial damage. 06/05/2016 - Aircraft N750Z, serial number 208B1054, a Cessna caravan, model 208B encountered a tail strike while boarding passengers without the tail stand in… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 15, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93374. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443038&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Captain Statement (item 2, .PDF, 510 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443039&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Captain%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Manager Regulatory Affairs Air Choice One) (item 3, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443040&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Manager%20Regulatory%20Affairs%20Air%20Choice%20One)-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 676 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443041&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.