# NTSB GAA17CA307: Cessna U206, N4804F, Diamond Point, NY, May 17, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 17, 2017, 17:05 local (21:05 UTC) - Place: Diamond Point, NY - Coordinates: 43.409999, -73.532501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4100&lon=-73.5325&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95250 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA307 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95250/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95250 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA307 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll with gusting wind conditions. ## 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: [Cessna U206A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073316), [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: [Cessna U206A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073316), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna U206A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=2073316), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna U206A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2073316), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna U206A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073316), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna U206A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073316), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna U206A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073316), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a wind gust and veered left off the runway centerline. He added that the airplane became airborne but that he did not have "enough time" to avoid a parked helicopter. Subsequently, the left wing impacted the helicopter. He then reduced the engine power, and the airplane landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 5 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 230° at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 22. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and veered left off the runway centerline. He added, that the airplane became airborne, but that he did not have "enough time" to avoid a parked helicopter. Subsequently, the left wing impacted the helicopter. He then reduced the engine power and the airplane landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 5 nautical miles from the accident site, about the time of the accident, reported the wind was from 230° at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 22. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4804F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4804F-2024-03-26), registration cancelled 2024-03-26, S/N U206-0504, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA U206 (A) - Registry model: [Cessna U206A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206a) (registry code 2073316) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U206-0504 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 2739.9 - Engines: Continental IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 2017 - Departed: 83K, Diamond Point, NY - Destination: 83K, Diamond Point, NY - Airport: 83K, Harris, runway 22, 2,300 × 40 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 15, 2017; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 5,230 total, 186 in this make and model, 5,085 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 12 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: KGFL, 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 20170517018941A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170517018941A), May 17, 2017: Cessna U206A, Fort Ann, NY, Substantial damage. Upon departing rwy 19, the pilot experienced a gust of wind from the west, causing the aircraft to drift to the left of the runway. The left wing of the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95250. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 868 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454328&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 624 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454329&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.