# NTSB GAA18CA532: Cessna 206, N230DE, London, KY, September 4, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 3, 2018, 20:00 local (Sep 4, 2018, 00:00 UTC) - Place: London, KY - Coordinates: 37.087776, -84.075553 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0878&lon=-84.0756&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98243 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA532 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98243/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98243 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA532 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a tailwind. ## 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 206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073301), [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 206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073301), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2073301), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2073301), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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 206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073301), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2073301), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073301), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Cessna 206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=2073301), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a touch-and-go landing, just after the airplane touched down, he reduced the flaps to 10° and applied full throttle for takeoff. While increasing airspeed, the airplane drifted left. He added right rudder, but the airplane continued to drift left, so he reduced engine power. The airplane then exited the left side of the runway, and the pilot briefly applied full throttle to cross a drainage ditch, and the airplane became airborne. Subsequently, when the airplane touched back down, the front landing gear separated from the airframe, and the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. 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 at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 100° at 3 knots. The pilot was performing a touch-and-go landing on runway 24. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a touch and go landing, just after the airplane touched down, he reduced the flaps to 10° and applied full throttle for takeoff. While increasing airspeed, the airplane drifted to the left. He added right rudder, but the airplane continued to drift left so he reduced engine power. The airplane then exited the left side of the runway and he briefly applied full throttle to cross a drainage ditch and the airplane became airborne. Subsequently, when the airplane touched back down, the front landing gear separated from the airframe, and the airplane came to rest nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. 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 at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 100° at 3 knots. The pilot was performing a touch and go on runway 24. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N230DE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N230DE-2026-05-23), registration cancelled 2026-05-23, S/N 20608252, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 206 (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 206H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-206h) (registry code 2073301) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20608252 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 7651 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-ACIAS 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 2018 - Departed: LOZ, London, KY - Destination: LOZ, London, KY - Airport: LOZ, London-Corbin Arpt-Magee Field, runway 24, 5,751 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 25, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 204 total, 132 in this make and model, 138 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1.6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 100° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: KLOZ ## 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 20180903012959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180903012959A), Sep 3, 2018: Cessna 206H, London, KY, Substantial damage. Pilot was performing touch and goes. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 23, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98243. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468511&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 223 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468512&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-Master.PDF - Pilot ROC (item 3, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468513&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20ROC-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.