# NTSB GAA17CA414: Cessna TU206, N166Z, Albuquerque, NM, July 16, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 16, 2017, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.038887, -106.614166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0389&lon=-106.6142&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95598 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA414 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95598/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95598 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA414 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a porpoised landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 TU206G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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 TU206G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073357), [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 · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2073357), [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. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the touchdown, a wind gust caused the airplane to float back into the air. Subsequently, the airplane porpoised, and he initiated a go-around. The second landing was uneventful; however, before the airplane exited onto the taxiway, the front wheel seized. A postaccident examination revealed that the front tire rim was damaged and that the tire was flat. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. 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 on the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 120° at 11 knots. The pilot landed on runway 12. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the landing touchdown, a gust of wind caused the airplane to float back into the air. Subsequently, the airplane porpoised, and he initiated a go-around. The second landing was uneventful, however, before the airplane exited onto the taxiway the front wheel seized. A post-accident examination revealed that, the front tire rim was damaged and the tire was flat. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. 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 on the accident airport reported, about the time of the accident, the wind from 120° at 11 knots. The pilot landed on runway 12. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N166Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N166Z), registered now, S/N U20606923, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA TU206 (G) - Registry model: [Cessna TU206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206g) (registry code 2073357) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U20606923 - Year built: 1986 - Airframe hours: 4887 - Engines: TCM TSIO-520M7B 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Operator: Usda Forest Service Fire & Aviation - Registered owner: Usda Forest Service Fire & Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 2017 - Departed: SGU, ST GEORGE, UT - Destination: ABQ, Albuquerque, NM - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: ABQ, Albuquerque Intl Sunport, runway 12, 6,000 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 14, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,993 total, 14 in this make and model, 1,611 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KABQ ## 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 20170716009099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170716009099A), Jul 16, 2017: Cessna TU206G, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. On July 16 2017 at 1510 MDT, a Cessna 206, N166Z registered to usda forest service fire & aviation porpoised on landing at Albuquerque international sunport,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95598. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 815 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455783&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Forest Service) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 264 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455784&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Forest%20Service)-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.