# NTSB LAX84LA427: Cessna TU206C, N3971G, Catalina, AZ, July 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1984, 19:45 local (Jul 15, 1984, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Catalina, AZ
- Location: 32.4848° N, 110.8997° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Catalina, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4848&lon=-110.8997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA427
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24362/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA427

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - information - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT RAN INTO RUTS WASHED OUT BY RECENT RAINS ON A PRIVATE ARPT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE CIRCLED THE ARPT TO LOOK FOR HAZARDS. HE CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS OK TO LAND. AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE SAID THAT HE SHOULD HAVE CALLED THE ARPT OPERATOR PRIOR TO FLYING THERE TO CHECK ON THE CONDITION OF THE ARPT AND RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3971G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3971G-2004-03-30), registration cancelled 2004-03-30, S/N U206-0971, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TU206C
- Registry model: [Cessna TU206C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206c) (registry code 2073334) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 1267
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alpha Aerial Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1983
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: 8EO, CATALINA, AZ
- Airport: 8EO, Brave Bulls, runway 21, 3,200 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,325 total, 103 in this make and model, 1,717 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19840714040929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840714040929A), Jul 14, 1984: Cessna TU206C, Catalina, AZ, Substantial damage. During landing on rough strip nose wheel caught in deep ruts causing failure of firewall where nose wheel attaches.

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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