# NTSB LAX06CA084: Cessna T206H, N531HP, Palo Alto, CA, January 8, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 8, 2006, 00:15 local (08:15 UTC) - Place: Palo Alto, CA - Coordinates: 37.461112, -122.114723 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4611&lon=-122.1147&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 63063 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63063/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA084 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment, which resulted in a collision with multiple objects. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - airport sign/marker - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - runway light ## Analysis The airplane collided with multiple airport objects during the landing flare. While in the traffic pattern for landing the pilot was not able to lower the flaps. During the landing flare, the pilot lost sight of the runway, and allowed the airplane to drift off the runway, where it collided with an airport sign and runway lights. He performed a go-around, and was not able to determine the extent of the damage. He elected to divert to another area airport with longer and wider runways. The pilot made a no flap landing at the alternate airport. Maintenance personnel reported that the right rear passenger door has a door/flap limit switch, so that when the door is ajar or open, the flaps cannot be lowered. The system was functionally tested and found to operate normally. It was determined that the right rear passenger was leaning against the door, and deactivated the door/flap limit switch. No further discrepancies were noted. ## Factual narrative On January 8, 2006, about 0015 Pacific standard time, a Cessna T206H, N531HP, collided with multiple airport objects during the landing flare to runway 31 at Palo Alto Airport, Palo Alto, California. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) was operating the public-use airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country flight departed Santa Maria, California, about 2245. The flight was destined for Palo Alto. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the Chief Airplane Pilot for the CHP stated the pilot was landing at the destination airport at the time of the accident. The purpose of the flight was to transport family members of an East Palo Alto police officer who had been killed earlier that day. On approach, the pilot was unable to lower the flaps. He entered the traffic pattern and positioned the airplane for landing on runway 31. He flared for landing, lost sight of the runway, and the airplane drifted to the west side of the runway. The airplane's left elevator, right horizontal stabilizer, rudder, tail cone, and rear bottom fuselage were damaged after colliding with a runway directional sign and two runway edge lights. The pilot believed that he had a flat tire and decided to go-around. He was unable to ascertain the damage to the airplane and elected to divert to San Jose International Airport (SJC), San Jose, California, due to the longer and wider runways. The pilot made a successful no flap landing at SJC. Following the accident, CHP maintenance personnel performed a functional test on the flap system and determined it was operational. In addition, they reported that the right rear passenger side door is equipped with a door/flap limit switch. The switch deactivates the flaps when the door is slightly ajar to fully open, thus preventing the flaps from being lowered. Maintenance personnel determined that the right rear passenger was leaning "heavily" against the door and deactivated the door/flap limit switch, which prevented the flaps from lowering. The CHP stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N531HP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N531HP), registered now, S/N T20608250, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T206H - Registry model: [Cessna T206H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t206h) (registry code 2073303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T20608250 - Airframe hours: 6305 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AJA1 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft - state, Part 91 - Registered owner: California Highway Patrol - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, January 1, 2004, 10 hours before - Departed: SMX, SANTA MARIA, CA - Destination: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA - Airport: PAO, Palo Alto Arpt Of Santa Clara, runway 31, 2,443 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review September 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 1,173 total, 572 in this make and model, 1,103 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 310° at 12 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: PAO ## 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 20060108000229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060108000229A), Jan 8, 2006: Cessna T206H, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft N531H, a Cessna 206H while attempting a no flaps landing at the Palo Alto airport, Palo Alto, California at 00:15 am on January 08, 2006… 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.