# NTSB GAA19CA496: Cessna TU206, N6588X, Regina, NM, August 19, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 19, 2019, 08:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: Regina, NM - Coordinates: 36.178611, -106.961387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1786&lon=-106.9614&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 February 11, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100094 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA496 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100094/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100094 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA496 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight performance planning for a high-density altitude takeoff from a short, dirt airstrip, which resulted in impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); 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) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, before takeoff from a 1,700-ft-long dirt airstrip with a 9,200-ft density altitude, he set the flaps to 20°, held the brakes, and ran the engine up to full power. He released the brakes and pulled back on the yoke, and the airplane accelerated. The pilot reported that the takeoff roll "seemed longer and slower than usual" and that, about two-thirds of the way down the runway, the airspeed was 45 knots. Near the end of the runway, the airplane momentarily became airborne and reached about 15 ft above ground level and then drifted right and settled back onto the ground. The airplane struck a bush and skidded left, the left landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that the airplane was heavily loaded but was under the maximum allowable gross weight. He added that he believed the loss of control occurred because "the density altitude was high; the strip is very short; and….[the airplane] was heavily loaded." He further stated that the airplane did not accelerate as quickly on the dirt as it did on the hard surfaces he was used to using for takeoffs. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, prior to takeoff from a high altitude, 1,700 ft dirt airstrip with a 9,200 ft density altitude, he set the flaps to 20°, held the brakes, and ran the engine up to full power. He released the brakes, pulled back on the yoke, and the airplane accelerated. The pilot reported that the takeoff roll "seemed longer and slower than usual" and about two-thirds of the way down the runway the airspeed was 45 knots. Near the end of the runway, the airplane momentarily became airborne about 15 ft above the ground, drifted to the right, and settled back onto the ground. The airplane struck a sage bush, skidded left, the left landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6588X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6588X), registered now, S/N U20605962, built 1980 (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: U20605962 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 3830.5 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-M 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ew Holdings Llc - Registered owner: Ew Holdings Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 2019 - Departed: Regina, NM - Destination: ALS, Alamosa, CO - Airport: runway S, 1,700 × 50 ft, dirt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## 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 June 27, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,064 total, 823 in this make and model, 1,032 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: KLAM, 37 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 20190819013949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190819013949A), Aug 19, 2019: Cessna TU206G, Regina, NM, Substantial damage. On August 19, 2019, at 0826 MST, a 1980 Cessna TU206G, N6588X, registered to ew holdings LLC, lost control during takeoff while conducting a personal flight.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100094. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477041&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477042&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.