# NTSB WPR16LA073: Cessna T206H, N562H, Billings, MT, February 8, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 8, 2016, 11:31 local (18:31 UTC) - Place: Billings, MT - Coordinates: 45.804721, -108.538887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8047&lon=-108.5389&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92749 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR16LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92749/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92749 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA073 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to attain a proper flare during landing in gusting wind conditions and low-level wind shear, which resulted in a hard landing and a subsequent loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that, just after landing, the airplane began to veer left and exited the side of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the nose landing gear fork and the right main landing gear strut were fractured in a manner consistent with overload. Examination of the damage to the airplane revealed that the main landing gear attachment points sustained upward crushing and the tail was bent downward; damage consistent with a hard landing. Control continuity was established, and no anomalies were revealed that would have precluded normal operation. Recorded wind information for the time of the accident indicated a 50- to 60-degree crosswind at 8 knots with gusts to 19 knots for the selected runway. Shortly before the airplane landed, a general wind shear warning was broadcast on the airport's tower control frequency. Wind shear was present in the area at altitudes below 2,000 ft above ground level (agl), and review of weather information valid at the time of the accident indicated several areas of clear air turbulence extending from the surface through 14,000 ft agl. Given the damage to the airplane, the surface wind profile, and upper level winds over the terrain, the accident flight likely encountered gusting wind conditions and low-level wind shear while landing. The airplane landed hard, damaging the landing gear, which resulted in the pilot's subsequent inability to maintain directional control. ## Factual narrative On February 8, 2016, about 1131 mountain standard time, a Cessna T206H, N562H, veered off of the runway after landing at Billings Logan International Airport (BIL), Billings, Montana. The pilot, sole occupant, sustained minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage throughout. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Red Reflect Ranch Airport (WY00), Ten Sleep, Wyoming at 1030. The pilot reported that the airplane touched down very smoothly. Shortly thereafter, it started to veer to the left with no lateral control. The airplane veered 90 degrees and went off the side of the runway. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed heavy damage to the airplane. The windscreen was partially separated. The fuselage at the main landing gear attachment points sustained upward crushing, and the nose wheel fork was fractured. The right wheel strut was fracture separated about three inches from the wheel assembly and the wheel separated from the airplane. The fracture surface was visually inspected and was consistent with overload. The outboard about four feet of the right wing was bent upward, and the fuselage just aft of the rear window was bent downward. Overall, there were no anomalies noted with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. Review of the Billings Air Traffic Control Tower recordings revealed that shortly before the pilot landed a general wind shear warning was broadcasted on the frequency. BIL was the closest official weather station. At 1153 the automated surface observing system (ASOS) reported wind from 220 degrees at 8 knots with gusts to 19 knots, 10 miles visibility, few clouds at 8,500 feet agl, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet agl, temperature 9 degrees C, dew point -6 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.38 inches of mercury. The one-minute BIL ASOS surface data was provided by the National Weather Surface. At 1131, BIL reported the two-minute average wind from 222 degrees at 12 knots and a five-second maximum average wind from 233 Degrees at 17 knots. In addition, the complete Rawinsonde Observation program reported low-level wind shear in the lowest 2,000 feet agl. Several layers of possible clear-air turbulence were identified from the surface through 14,000 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N562H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N562H-2017-11-29), registration cancelled 2017-11-29, S/N T20608537, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T206H - Registry model: [Cessna T206H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t206h) (registry code 2073303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T20608537 - Year built: 2005 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 2015, 10 hours before - Departed: WY00, Ten Sleep, WY - Destination: BIL, Billings, MT - Airport: BIL, Billings Logan Intl Airport, runway 28R, 10,518 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 21, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,620 total, 220 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 8 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: BIL ## 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 20160208001109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160208001109A), Feb 8, 2016: Cessna T206H, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. During the landing phase, the pilot stated the aircraft touched down "smoothly". Within seconds, the aircraft suddenly veered off to the left. Full right… ## Other investigations on N562H (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 LAX06CA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA218), Jun 27, 2006: Cessna T206H (N562H), Santa Maria, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 27, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92749. 23.8 MB in all. - Group Chairman's Weather Study Report (item 1, .PDF, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448781&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Group%20Chairman%27s%20Weather%20Study%20Report-Master.PDF - Group Chairman Weather Study Report - Attachment 1 (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448782&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Group%20Chairman%20Weather%20Study%20Report%20-%20Attachment%201-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 3, .PDF, 802 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448783&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Email - Airframe Examination (item 4, .PDF, 855 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448784&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Email%20-%20Airframe%20Examination-Master.PDF - Air Traffic Control - Audio and Radar (item 5, MP4, 15.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448785&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Air%20Traffic%20Control%20-%20Audio%20and%20Radar-Master - On Scene Photographs - Courtesy of Airport Operations (item 6, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448786&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=On%20Scene%20Photographs%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20Airport%20Operations-Master.PDF 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.