# NTSB SEA90LA141: Cessna TU206G, N4784U, Sheridan, OR, July 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1990, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Sheridan, OR
- Coordinates: 45.100147, -123.419853 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1001&lon=-123.4199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41245
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41245/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA141

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT ENGAGEMENT OF THE AUTOPILOT DURING THE FLARE FOR LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autopilot/flight director - engaged (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A FLIGHT, WHILE APPROACHING THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT DISCONNECTED THE AUTOPILOT. THE DOWNWIND, BASE AND FINAL LEGS OF THE PATTERN WERE NORMAL, UNTIL WHILE ON SHORT FINAL, THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY NOSED UP AND BANKED RIGHT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION, HOWEVER, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR CONTACTED THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT INITIATED A GO-AROUND AND LANDED AT AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE PILOT FELT THAT THE AUTOPILOT SELF ENGAGED ITSELF. TESTING OF THE AUTOPILOT DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS TO INDICATE A SELF ENGAGEMENT. IT WAS FOUND  THAT THE LOCATION OF THE AUTOPILOT IN THE AIRPLANE WAS TWO INCHES LOWER THAN THE STC RECOMMENDED AND THAT THE ENGAGE BUTTON IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE FLAP HANDLE AND ENGINE CONTROLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4784U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TU206G
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20605101
- Airframe hours: 1042
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-M 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Schroeder, Susan P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1990, 47 hours before
- Departed: LWS, LEWISTON, ID
- Airport: 4452, Sheridan, runway 7, 2,880 × 30 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,057 total, 369 in this make and model, 948 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 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 19900709024889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900709024889A), Jul 9, 1990: Cessna TU206G, Sheridan, OR, Substantial damage. Right bank and pitch-up on landing flare. Damaged right main gear. Auto pilot switch bumped on.

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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