# NTSB SEA89LA035: Cessna 206, N732FN, Sekiu, WA, January 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1989, 09:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Sekiu, WA
- Coordinates: 48.290184, -124.399513 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2902&lon=-124.3995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40971/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA035

## Probable cause

PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, RATHER THAN POSTPONE THE BUSINESS TRIP AND RETURN TO ORIGIN OR OTHER SAFE AREA. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE TURBULENCE AND GUSTY WINDS ALONG WITH THE SELF INDUCED PRESSURE TO MAKE THE BUSINESS FLT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PASSING THROUGH MOUNTAIN STRAITS ON A BUSINESS TRIP TO A COASTAL DESTINATION WHEN STRONG WINDS AND TURBULENCE WERE ENCOUNTERED. THE PLT ELECTED TO ATTEMPT AN LANDING AT A STRIP SHORT OF THE DESTINATION. THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT DURING THE APPROACH AND IT CONTACTED THE TERRAIN ON SHORT FINAL. WINDS WERE 30 KTS GUSTING TO 40 KTS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N732FN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N732FN-2013-03-19), registration cancelled 2013-03-19, S/N U20604669, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 206
- Registry model: [Cessna U206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206g) (registry code 2073356) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20604669
- Airframe hours: 3241
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard D. Dawson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1988, 47 hours before
- Departed: LAKE STEVENS, WA
- Destination: NEAH BAY, WA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 11S, Sekiu, runway 26, 2,980 × 35 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 375 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890116000649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890116000649A), Jan 16, 1989: Cessna U206G, Sekiu, WA, Substantial damage. Unexpected severe winds and turbulence for landing. Dragged a wing and flipped over. Was too slow for the windshear

## Other investigations on N732FN (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 ANC83IA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83IA069), Apr 11, 1983: Cessna U-206 (N732FN), Old Harbor, AK, incident, minor damage

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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