Cessna U206 Safety Record

the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the excessive gross weight of the airplane, the high density altitude, and the high (mountainous) terrain.

The pilot's inadequate planning/decision for taking off in the meteorological conditions present at the time. Factors include a high density altitude, gusty winds, downdrafts, and soft terrain in the area of the forced landing.

the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in overload failure of the nose gear and a nose over. Factors associated with the accident were: the pilot's failure to follow procedures and directives by neglecting to tie down and secure the load, and his failure to ensure that the passengers had seatbelts available and utilized them.

The pilot's improper evaluation of the weather conditions which led the pilot to maneuver within the confines of the lake to avoid surrounding terrain and a subsequent inadvertent stall. Factors were the terrain-induced turbulence and gusts.

The pilot-in-command's flight into known adverse weather and the subsequent overload and separation of the right wing-strut fuselage-to-strut attach point. Factors contributing were clouds and obscuration.

a loss of engine power resulting from fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector, and the pilot's failure to identify and correct the deficiency during the ensuing emergency descent.

Inadequate torque of the cylinder base nuts and through bolt nuts by company maintenance personnel which allowed movement of the crankcase halves. As a result the No. 2 main bearing failed which allowed excessive movement of the crankshaft resulting in fatigue failure of the crankshaft. Contributing to the accident was unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot during the forced landing.

the pilot's failure to correctly judge the surface winds in the vicinity of the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: a tailwind during landing, a short runway with a wet surface, and an embankment/drop-off at the end of the airstrip.

fuel contamination, due to improper servicing of the aircraft, which resulted in fuel starvation, loss of engine power, a forced landing, and collision with a tree. The strong surface wind was a related factor.

the pilot's initiation of a flight with a known disqualifying heart condition, and his subsequent inflight incapacitation from a heart attack. A factor relating to the accident was: the inability of the non-rated passenger (unqualified person) to attain a successful landing.

The pilot's improper decision to continue the flight rather than making an immediate water landing due to the low altitude of the airplane and obstructions ahead, which led to his intentional maneuver to avoid the obstructions and subsequent inadvertent stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident were: an inadequate 100-hour inspection of the airplane by company maintenance personnel for failure to fix a damaged ignition lead and a partially separated keel on one of the floats, the pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane for his failure to pump a float to remove water, and the pilot's intentional operation of the airplane with an excessive magneto drop.

the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision, and his failure to properly plan his approach for landing, so that the airplane would not stall or touchdown hard. Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather (icing) condition, the accumulation of airframe ice, and the pilot's reduced visibility due to the ice covered windshield.

The pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane by failing to ensure that all the airplane's doors were properly closed. A factor associated with the accident is an open door.

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ENSURE THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT AN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WATER BEFORE INITIATING A TURN WHICH RESULTED IN THE RIGHT FLOAT CONTACTING THE WATER DURING THE TURN AND THE AIRCRAFT CARTWHEELING.