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January 14, 2009 · Cessna U206E · N9428G

Crane Island, San Juan Is., WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 14, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Crane Island, San Juan Is., WA
Aircraft
Cessna U206E
Tail Number
N9428G
Operator
Rugby Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR09CA084

The operator's Director of Operations reported that the flight was dispatched from their home base to pickup a waiting passenger for a flight under their 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 operating certificate. Upon arriving over the airstrip, the pilot made a traffic pattern approach and observed that the wind was calm. The pilot stated that his airspeed and approach path were approximately normal and that he was familiar with the airstrip, having landed there in a southerly direction on previous days. The airplane touched down near the beginning of the short, 1,350-foot-long grass runway. The pilot further reported that he used light to firm brake pressure and that the airplane began sliding. He stated that the south portion of the runway (near its departure end) was soggy. He attempted a rapid left turn to avoid encountering the drop-off adjacent to the runway's end. As the airplane turned left, the right wing dipped down, impacted the ground, and broke. The Cessna Aircraft Company's "Landing Distance Table" in the U206 operating handbook provides guidelines for ascertaining the approximate landing distance needed under various conditions. The performance data in the handbook indicated that on a dry grass runway, a distance of at least 897 feet is needed to stop the airplane. The table data does not provide distance information for a "soggy" wet grass runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper application of brakes.

Full Narrative

The operator's Director of Operations (DO) reported that the flight was dispatched from their home base (first) airport under their Federal Aviation Administration's air carrier operating certificate (14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 135). A passenger was on board the airplane. Upon arriving at the second airport, the passenger disembarked. The pilot departed without passengers or cargo for the third (accident) airstrip, with the intent of picking up a waiting passenger. Upon arriving over the airstrip, the pilot made a traffic pattern approach and observed that the wind was calm. The pilot stated that his airspeed and approach path were approximately normal, and he was familiar with the airstrip, having landed there in a southerly direction on previous days. The airplane touched down near the beginning of the short, 1,350-foot-long grass runway. The pilot further reported that he used light to firm brake pressure, and the airplane began sliding. He stated that the south portion of the runway (near its departure end) was soggy, and there was a drop-off adjacent to the runway's end. So, to avoid that peril, he attempted a rapid left turn to avoid encountering the drop-off. As the airplane turned left, the right wing dipped down, impacted the ground, and broke. Both the pilot and the DO acknowledged to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that no runway condition information was ascertained prior to departure for the uncharted, uncontrolled, private airstrip. The DO further reported that flight to the accident airstrip required "special permission," which he granted, having operational control of the airplane. The operator's "General Operations Manual" states that, during the preparation for a flight, it is the pilot-in-command's responsibility to comply with 14 CFR Part 91.103, "Preflight Action." This regulation states that the pilot "...shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight." The Cessna Aircraft Company's "Landing Distance Table" provides guidelines for ascertaining the approximate landing distance needed under various conditions. Following the accident, the pilot calculated and provided the Safety Board investigator with table data that indicated on a dry grass runway, a distance of at least 897 feet are needed to stop the airplane. The table data does not provide distance information for a "soggy" wet grass runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 PST
Nearest AirportCrane Island, San Juan Island (0nm)
Runway12
Runway Length1350 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna U206E
Tail NumberN9428G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRugby Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · IO-520-F · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 0 C
Altimeter30.54 inHg
Observation Time18:00
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data