# NTSB LAX04LA284: Cessna 206, N8622Z, Truckee, CA, July 29, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 2004, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Coordinates: 39.319999, -120.139442
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3200&lon=-120.1394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59780
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA284
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59780/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA284

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

The airplane veered off the runway and collided with terrain and high vegetation after the pilot experienced a loss of directional control on the landing roll.  Upon touchdown, with the nose gear still off the runway, the airplane encountered a sudden crosswind gust and veered to the left.  The pilot applied right rudder pressure in an effort to counteract the veer, but the airplane continued to the left off the runway surface, encountering rough terrain and impacting sagebrush.  The airplane came to rest about 150 feet left of the runway edge and 2,500 feet beyond the end of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On July 29, 2004, about 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 206, N8622Z, veered off the runway and collided with terrain and high vegetation on the landing roll at the Truckee-Tahoe Airport, Truckee, California.  The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The personal cross-country flight departed Bend Municipal Airport, Bend, Oregon, about 1100, with the planned destination of Truckee.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane after the accident occurred and interviewed the pilot.  The pilot reported that while in the proximity of the airport, he noted that the windsock indicated a slight headwind on runway 19.  He opted to land on runway 19, and, after completing the approach, the airplane's main landing gear touched down on the runway surface.  With the nose gear still airborne, the airplane encountered a sudden gust of wind and veered to the left.  The pilot applied right rudder pressure in an effort to counteract the veer, but the airplane continued to the left off the runway surface, encountering rough terrain and impacting sagebrush.

The FAA inspector further noted that the airplane came to rest about 150 feet left of the runway edge and 2,500 feet beyond the end of the runway.  The airplane incurred damage to the right horizontal stabilizer, landing gear, and firewall.

An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for Truckee at 1345 reported winds from 240 degrees at 14 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8622Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8622Z-2006-05-25), registration cancelled 2006-05-25, S/N P206-0422, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 206
- Registry model: [Cessna TP206C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tp206c) (registry code 2073313) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P206-0422
- Airframe hours: 3126
- Engines: Continental TSIO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: S07, Bend, OR
- Destination: TRK, Truckee, CA
- Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe Airport, runway 19, 4,650 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,150 total, 800 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: TRK

## 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 20040729014599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040729014599A), Jul 29, 2004: Cessna TP206C, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated the windsock for runway 19 indicated wind straight down the runway on his approach. The aircraft touched down normally on runway 19. While…

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.

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