# NTSB GAA17CA549: Cessna U206, N734GW, Chicken, AK, September 5, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 5, 2017, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Chicken, AK - Coordinates: 64.318054, -141.419723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.3181&lon=-141.4197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 11, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96083 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA549 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96083/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96083 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA549 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a sign while taking off from a road. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206G, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2073356), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2073356), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna U206G, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073356), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna U206G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2073356), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while taking off from a road, the airplane struck a road sign with its left wing. He explained that, during takeoff, the airplane had accelerated rapidly and that, in the next moment, he felt a lurch to the left. The parking brake, which he had forgotten to release, then released. He added that he had "incorrectly assumed" that the brake had grabbed and caused the lurch, not the unknown to him, sign strike. Subsequently, he corrected with rudder and continued the flight. He added that the airplane flew "normally" but that it had a "slightly left-wing heavy feel." He continued the flight without further incident. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that it had 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. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while taking off from a road, the airplane struck a road sign with its left wing. He explained that, during takeoff the airplane had accelerated rapidly and in the next moment he felt a lurch to the left and at that moment the parking brake, which he had forgotten to release, released. He added that, he had "incorrectly assumed" that the brake had grabbed and caused the lurch, not the unknown to him, sign strike. Subsequently, he corrected with rudder and continued the flight. He added that, the airplane flew "normally," but that it had a "slightly left-wing heavy feel". He continued the flight without further incident. A post-accident examination revealed the airplane had 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N734GW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N734GW), registered now, S/N U20604832, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA U206 (G) - Registry model: [Cessna U206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206g) (registry code 2073356) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U20604832 - Year built: 1978 - Engines: Continental IO-550 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Chicken, AK - Destination: 6K8, TOK, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 7,500 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 360 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: PAEG, 29 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 20170905020729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170905020729A), Sep 5, 2017: Cessna U206G, Chicken, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot landed on a highway, parked and set the parking brake, and picked up a passenger. Then back taxied up the highway, made the turn and applied power… ## Other investigations on N734GW (2) 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. - [NTSB ANC93LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA063), May 17, 1993: Cessna 206 (N734GW), Deadhorse, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGMENT IN ATTEMPTING TO LAND UNDER THE EXISTING HIGH WIND CONDITION. - [NTSB ANC89LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA006), Oct 6, 1988: Cessna 206 (N734GW), Eagle, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96083. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458521&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 543 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458522&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.