# NTSB WPR20CA232: Cessna U206, N756DJ, Nenana, AK, July 11, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 10, 2020, 17:00 local (Jul 11, 2020, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Nenana, AK - Coordinates: 64.138053, -147.98666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.1381&lon=-147.9867&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 101653 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101653/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101653 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA232 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a soft field takeoff on a dirt airstrip, which resulted in an impact with a vehicle. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073356), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206G, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073356), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=2073356), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna U206G, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073356), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna U206G, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073356), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was performing a soft field takeoff at a private dirt airstrip with a right crosswind. During the takeoff roll, staying on the left side of the airstrip to clear a known dip, the nosewheel lifted off the ground quickly as expected, however he now had no turning ability. The pilot utilized right rudder input to compensate for the cross wind, but the ground speed was too low and he did not have enough rudder authority to keep the left wing from impacting a parked bulldozer on the side of the airstrip. The airplane's left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was performing a soft field takeoff at a private dirt airstrip with a right crosswind. During the takeoff roll, staying on the left side of the airstrip to clear a known dip, the nosewheel lifted off the ground quickly as expected, however he now had no turning ability. The pilot utilized right rudder input to compensate for the cross wind, but the ground speed was too low and he did not have enough rudder authority to keep the left wing from impacting a parked bulldozer on the side of the airstrip. The airplane's left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N756DJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N756DJ), registered now, S/N U20604005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA U206 (G) - 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: U20604005 - Engines: Continental IO-520 285 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bik Air LLC - Registered owner: Bik Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2020, 633 hours before - Departed: PVT, Nenana, AK - Destination: AK7, Fairbanks, AK - Airport: PVT, Pvt, runway 360, 4,000 × 60 ft, dirt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2020; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 500 total, 395 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots, gusting 5 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Observed at: PANN, 37 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 20200710009189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200710009189A), Jul 10, 2020: Cessna U206G, Nenana, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot started the takeoff roll using a soft field departure procedure. When the nose came up, the aircraft veered slightly to the left despite right rudder… ## Other investigations on N756DJ (3) 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 ANC13CA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA046), Apr 24, 2013: Cessna U206G (N756DJ), Nenana, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: Ice accretion in the right main landing gear wheel brake during departure, which prevented the right main landing gear from rotating on landing and resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent… - [NTSB ANC01LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA057), May 15, 2001: Cessna 206 (N756DJ), Stebbins, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A jammed control yoke during landing, an entangled wiring harness, and inadequate maintenance by company personnel. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's inability to flare the… - [NTSB ANC97LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA088), Jun 21, 1997: Cessna 206 (N756DJ), Prudhoe Bay, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper preflight inspection of the airplane and failure to properly secure the baggage door. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101653. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 795 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10057281&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20232_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photo (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 548 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10062396&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20232-Rel.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.