# NTSB SEA95LA173: Cessna TU206F, N777FN, Ennis, MT, August 7, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1995, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Ennis, MT
- Coordinates: 45.279323, -111.7107 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2793&lon=-111.7107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42213/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA173

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INACCURATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER.  THE MICROBURST WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - microburst/dry (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON APPROACH TO A PRIVATE AIRPORT THE PILOT NOTED THUNDERSTORM CLOUDS AND VIRGA FROM THE ASSOCIATED CLOUD BASES. HE CONTINUED HIS APPROACH AND WHEN APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE ON FINAL ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT AND THE AIRCRAFT'S GROUND SPEED DROPPED OFF RAPIDLY. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED VERTICALLY IMPACTING THE GROUND AND INCURRING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Factual narrative

On August 7, 1995, approximately 0800 hours mountain daylight time, a Cessna TU206F, N777FN, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain after encountering strong downdrafts while on approach to the Sportsman's private airport, Ennis, Montana. The commercial pilot and four passengers were uninjured. Variable meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Ennis approximately 0740 hours.      The pilot reported in a telephone interview that he was executing a visual approach to a southerly landing after having taken friends for a local flight. He reported that while approaching the private airport he observed thunderstorm clouds nearby and virga coming from the base of the clouds. While approximately one-quarter mile on final, and in the vicinity of power lines, the aircraft suddenly descended vertically impacting the ground. The pilot reported that the indicated airspeed was 100 knots but that the ground speed dropped to zero.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N777FN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777FN-1998-07-09), registration cancelled 1998-07-09, S/N U20602832 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TU206F
- Registry model: [Cessna TU206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206f) (registry code 2073353) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20602832
- Airframe hours: 3890
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520M 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Iverson, Paul, E.
- Registered owner: Singleton, James, L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1995, 150 hours before
- Departed: S55

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,400 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 12,400 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BZN, 35 nm away

## 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 19950807022329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950807022329A), Aug 7, 1995: Cessna TU206F, Ennis, MT, Substantial damage. Descended suddenly near vertical on final. Impacted short of runway. Thunderstorm approaching. Blames windshear.

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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