# NTSB SEA01LA084: Cessna U206F, N35854, Imnaha, OR, May 5, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 5, 2001, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Imnaha, OR - Coordinates: 45.618057, -116.468055 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6181&lon=-116.4681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53392 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53392/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA084 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Wind gusts were a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis During the landing roll on a remote backcountry strip surrounded by rising terrain, the aircraft encountered a gust of wind just after touchdown. The aircraft was picked up then dropped back to the surface. The pilot opted to continue the landing instead of going around. Due to insufficient room to stop before running off the airstrip, the pilot intentionally tried to ground loop the aircraft. The nose gear collapsed and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot reported the winds were gusting to in excess of 20 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 2001, approximately 0730 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna U206F, N35854, registered to the pilot and operated by Spence Air Service as a 14 CFR Part 135 on demand air taxi, nosed over during the landing roll at a private airstrip located about 13 nautical miles northeast of Imnaha, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a company visual flight plan was in effect. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight departed from Enterprise, Oregon, about 30 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he circled the airstrip located in a canyon about three or four times to determine the wind direction. The pilot then set-up for an approach to the southeast (120 degrees). During the approach, the wind sock was limp, however, shortly after touchdown, a strong gust of wind picked the aircraft up then dropped it down. The pilot opted to continue the landing instead of going around. Due to insufficient room to stop before running off the airstrip, the pilot intentionally tried to ground loop the aircraft. The nose gear separated and the aircraft nosed over, coming to rest inverted The pilot reported the wind was from the northeast at two knots, gusting to 20 plus knots. Moderate turbulence was reported in the area and on final approach. The Pittsburg Landing strip is a remote backcountry strip surrounded by rising terrain. The strip is 1,050 feet in length and 75 feet wide. The elevation is 1,500 feet mean sea level. The surface is rough and sod covered. A windsock is located on the field. Landing recommendations are to approach from the north and land to the south. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N35854](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35854-2001-09-28), registration cancelled 2001-09-28, S/N U20602759 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna U206F - Registry model: [Cessna U206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206f) (registry code 2073333) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U20602759 - Airframe hours: 5998 - Engines: Continental IO-520-DCF 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Joseph H. Spence - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 2001, 20 hours before - Departed: 8S4, Enterprise, OR - Destination: Imnaha, OR - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: Pittsburg Landing, runway 12, 1,050 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 30, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 9,848 total, 5,200 in this make and model, 9,745 as pilot in command, 157 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 2 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 20010505009869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010505009869A), May 5, 2001: Cessna U206F, Imnaha, OR, No damage. (-23)While landing at a mountainous remote strip, the pilot claims a severe tailwind gust picked up the aricraft. According to the pilot, he did not have… 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.