# NTSB LAX93LA181: Cessna U-206G, N733TH, Yuma, AZ, March 16, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 15, 1993, 20:40 local (Mar 16, 1993, 03:40 UTC) - Place: Yuma, AZ - Coordinates: 32.720249, -114.510208 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7202&lon=-114.5102&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28366 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28366/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA181 ## Probable cause AN INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION WHICH LED TO A LOSS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DUE TO LOOSE ALTERNATOR BELT, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING A NIGHT PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AN UNLIT RUNWAY. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - electrical system,alternator - inoperative (cause) - electrical system - failure,total - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Overrun, landing - roll - light condition - bright night - precautionary landing - intentional, pilot in command - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot reported a loss of electrical power at night. The pilot made a precautionary landing on an unlighted runway. The pilot stated that it was 'difficult to see' and the airplane touched down midfield. During roll out, the airplane collided with a runway light, overran the runway's departure end, and entered a ditch. The airplane's electrical system was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector. The inspector reported that no mechanical problems were observed except that the alternator's drive belt was found 'extremely loose.' An examination of the airplane's maintenance records and pilot's report revealed that since completion of the last annual inspection, the airplane had been operated for two days during which it was flown for five hours. ## Factual narrative On March 15, 1993, at 2040 Mountain standard time, a Cessna U206G, N733TH, operated by the pilot, experienced a loss of electrical current during a nighttime cross country flight. The pilot made a precautionary landing on an unlighted runway at the Laguna Army Airfield, Yuma Proving Ground, Yuma, Arizona. During roll out, the airplane collided with rough terrain and was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight. The airline transport certificated pilot and four of the five passengers were not injured. The fifth passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Guaymas, Mexico, on March 15, 1993, at about 1630. In the pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," NTSB Form 6120.1, he wrote, in pertinent part, the following: "...I experienced an alternator failure....I made two passes over the runway I intended to land on. After exercising particular caution to possible obstacles I chose to select a descent angle to the runway slightly steeper than normal, touching down at about half length, during the flare and landing roll it was difficult to see the runway...." During the airplane's landing roll out, it collided with a runway light. Thereafter, the airplane overran the departure end of the runway and came to a stop in a ditch. An examination of the airplane's maintenance records and electrical system revealed that on March 13, 1993, Konski Air, Van Nuys, California, had certified its completion of an annual inspection. The airplane's owner reported that he authorized the pilot to fly the airplane to Mexico between March 13 and 15, 1993. The accident occurred during the pilot's return flight from Mexico after the airplane had been operated for about five hours. An FAA airworthiness inspector reported that its examination of the airplane revealed nothing unusual except that the alternator drive belt was found "extremely loose." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N733TH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733TH-2001-11-20), registration cancelled 2001-11-20, S/N U20604790 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA U-206G - Registry model: [Cessna U206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206g) (registry code 2073356) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U20604790 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Daniel Ganne - Registered owner: Jack Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1993, 5 hours before - Departed: GYM, GUAYMAS - Destination: CXL, CALEXICO, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: LGF, Laguana A. A. F., runway 18, 5,024 × 150 ft, macadam ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,923 total, 57 in this make and model, 1,790 as pilot in command, 189 in the last 90 days, 88 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19930315014509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930315014509A), Mar 15, 1993: Cessna U206G, Yuma, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost electrical power at night. Overshot unlighted runway on precautionary landing. Alternator belt was loose. 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.