# NTSB GAA20CA072: Cessna U206, N29173, Mexico, MO, November 10, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 10, 2019, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Mexico, MO - Coordinates: 39.037776, -91.725555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0378&lon=-91.7256&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100559 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100559/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100559 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA072 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly set the parking brake before exiting an operating airplane, which resulted in a runaway airplane and subsequent impact with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2073332), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2073332), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna U206C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073332), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after starting the airplane with a ground power unit (GPU), he exited the airplane. He disconnected the GPU and removed the wheel chocks. The airplane started to roll down an incline. He jumped into the airplane through the aft cargo door and attempted to climb into the pilot's seat to no avail. He pulled the fuel to cut off, and the airplane impacted the trees. The pilot further reported that he had set the parking brake before starting the airplane but either failed to set it completely or bumped it when he exited the pilot's seat to disconnect the GPU. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the right-wing lift strut. 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 of the turbo prop airplane reported that, after starting the airplane with a ground power unit (GPU) he exited the airplane. He disconnected the GPU and removed the wheel chocks. The airplane started to roll down an incline. He jumped into the airplane through the aft cargo door and attempted climb into the pilot's seat, to no avail. He pulled the fuel to cut off and the airplane impacted the trees. The pilot further reported that he had set the parking brake before starting the airplane, but either failed to set it completely or bumped it when he exited the pilot's seat to disconnect the GPU. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the both wings and right wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29173](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29173), registered now, S/N U206-1140, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna U206 (C) - Registry model: [Cessna U206C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206c) (registry code 2073332) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U206-1140 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 14851.4 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney PT6A-20 turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 2019 - Departed: 6MU4, Mexico, MO - Destination: 10MO, Williamsburg, MO - Airport: 6MU4, Flying Shamrock - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2019; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 8,524 total, 315.6 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 15.1 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KMYJ, 8 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 20191110017009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191110017009A), Nov 10, 2019: Cessna U206C, Mexico, MO, Substantial damage. After aircraft engine start, the pilot exited the aircraft to disconnect the external power unit and pull the chocks. When the chocks were removed, the… ## Other investigations on N29173 (1) 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 CEN24LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA197), May 25, 2024: Cessna U206 (N29173), Butler, MO, destroyed. Probable cause: The jumper’s unintentional deployment of his emergency parachute and subsequent impact with the airplane’s horizontal stabilizer. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 3, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100559. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 660 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479628&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Phone Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479629&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 621 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479630&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.