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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 8, 1996 · Cessna TU206G · N756UP

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 8, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Aircraft
Cessna TU206G
Tail Number
N756UP
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX97LA078

The pilot reported that about 40 miles south of the airport the fuel pressure dropped and he turned on the auxiliary fuel pump and continued the descent for landing. On final approach the aircraft was low and he added throttle, with no response. The pilot noted that the stall warning was sounding and he lowered the nose slightly to prevent a stall. The aircraft landed hard on the runway threshold and collapsed the nose gear. The pilot told responding police officers that at 100 feet agl on final the engine lost power and a high rate of descent developed. He further told the responding officers that he 'put on full flaps to slow his free fall,' and when that did not work, he lowered the nose to regain speed. The aircraft collided with the runway on the nose gear, collapsing it, and damaging the propeller. The Safety Board was notified of the accident 2 weeks after the occurrence, and after the aircraft had been moved and disassembled. The total fuel quantity and the distribution among the tanks was not ascertained. The Safety Board located the aircraft at the salvage facility who transported it from the accident site. The engine was started and successfully test run using the airframe systems.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's inappropriate use of flaps and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the subsequent landing attempt.

Full Narrative

On December 8, 1996, at 0900 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna TU206G, N756UP, collapsed the nose landing gear during a hard landing on runway 09 at the Mammoth Lakes, California, airport following a loss of engine power on final approach. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and the two passengers on board were not injured. The flight originated at Fullerton, California, on the day of the accident about 0720 as a personal cross-country flight to Mammoth. In his written statement, the pilot reported that about 40 miles south of the airport the fuel pressure dropped and he turned on the auxiliary fuel pump and continued the descent for landing. On final approach the aircraft was low and he added throttle, with no response. The pilot noted that the stall warning was sounding and he lowered the nose slightly to prevent a stall. The aircraft landed hard on the runway threshold and collapsed the nose gear. Mammoth Lakes Police officers responded to the scene and interviewed the pilot. According to their report, the pilot stated that at 100 feet agl on final the engine lost power and a high rate of descent developed. He further told the responding officers that he "put on full flaps to slow his free fall," and when that did not work, he lowered the nose to regain speed. The aircraft collided with the runway on the nose gear, collapsing it and damaging the propeller. The aircraft was recovered by National Aircraft, Long Beach, California. Following recovery, the engine was started and test run using the airframe systems. The Safety Board was notified of the accident on December 23, 1996, after the aircraft had been moved and disassembled. The total fuel quantity and the distribution among the tanks was not ascertained.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 PST
Nearest AirportMammoth Lakes (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna TU206G
Tail NumberN756UP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-M · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 14 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data