# NTSB LAX05CA001: Cessna TU206A, N4835F, Nogales, AZ, October 2, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 1, 2004, 21:30 local (Oct 2, 2004, 04:30 UTC) - Place: Nogales, AZ - Coordinates: 31.417778, -110.847778 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4178&lon=-110.8478&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60276 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60276/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA001 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to remain on the designated taxiway surface, which resulted in the airplane's collision with the ditch. The dark lighting condition was a factor to the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - wrong taxi route - attempted, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The airplane collided with a ditch during taxi and sustained substantial damage. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. While taxiing to the terminal, the pilot taxied into a non-movement area of the airport, and did not see a 4-foot-deep ditch located in front of the terminal. The airplane impacted the ditch and the right wing collided with the ground, resulting in damage to a stringer. The ditch was approximately 45 feet from the taxiway. ## Factual narrative On October 1, 2004, at 2130 mountain standard time, a Cessna TU206A, N4835F, collided with a ditch during taxi following a landing on runway 03 at the Nogales International Airport, Nogales, Arizona. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot, also the registered owner, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The airplane departed from the Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona, for the cross-country personal flight. According to the pilot, he landed on runway 03. While taxiing to the terminal, the pilot did not see a 4-foot-deep ditch located in front of the terminal. The airplane impacted the ditch, and the right wing collided with the ground, resulting in damage to a stringer. The airport manager responded to the airport following the accident. The taxiway is designed with a centerline stripe and outer reflectors. The ditch is on a non-movement part of the airport approximately 45 feet from the edge of the taxiway. The taxiway is paved. From the taxiway there is a 1-inch drop, and rock chips cover the ground for an additional 15 feet, followed by dirt for the next 24 feet leading up to the ditch. The airport recently received a grant to reconstruct the taxiways, which will widen the taxiways and install taxiway lighting. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4835F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4835F), registered now, S/N U206-0535 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna TU206A - Registry model: [Cessna TU206A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206a) (registry code 2073318) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U206-0535 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-C reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clark Campbell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DVT, Phoenix, AZ - Destination: OLS, Nogales, AZ - Airport: OLS, Nogales International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,989 total, 1,208 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night ## 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 20041001024899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041001024899A), Oct 1, 2004: Cessna TU206A, Nogales, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman landed runway 21 at night. Aircraft only has landing/taxi lights on left wing. A right turn was initiated into darkness and shortly thereafter,… ## Other investigations on N4835F (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 DEN99LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA138), Aug 8, 1999: Cessna TU206A (N4835F), Durango, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: A worn landing nose gear steering system that diminished the ability to steer the airplane. Factors were improper maintenance by unknown persons, and loose gravel. 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.