Cessna U206 Safety Record

The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot experiencing a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.

The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain control during a night landing pattern crosswind turn due to spatial disorientation and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action, which resulted in impact with terrain.

A total loss of engine power due to air entering the fuel system for reasons that could not be determined based on available information. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to restart the engine due to the check valve assembly design.

The pilot's decision to continue operation of the airplane with known mechanical issues (fluctuating oil pressure and metal in the oil filter), which was the result of undertorqued cylinder through bolts. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic's failure to properly torque the engine through bolts, which led to the eventual failure of the crankshaft.

The pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees while taking off in a high-density altitude. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to perform pre-takeoff performance calculations, his positioning of the elevator trim in a nose-down position, and the discrepancy between the airplane's flap positioning lever and the actual position of the flaps.

The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with terrain while maneuvering to reverse direction in a pass. A factor contributing to the accident was clouds in the pass.

The pilot's improper loading of externally carried lumber that caught fire due to exposure to hot exhaust gases during cruise flight, which resulted in an emergency descent/landing and subsequent collision with a gravel bar. A factor contributing to the accident was the operator's lack of FAA approval for the external lumber rack that was installed under the belly of the airplane.

The pilot's improper decision to unload passengers and leave the airplane unattended while the engine was running, and the passenger's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with a rotating propeller. A factor related to the accident was the impairment of the passenger due to alcohol.

The pilot's failure to follow the checklist to ensure the fuel filler cap was secured resulting in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power.

The intentional low altitude flight/maneuver by the pilot-in-command and his disregard of the altitude clearance with terrain resulting in the inflight collision with water during the dark night. Contributing to the accident was the lack of U.S. Customs procedures regarding the establishing of floors during training exercises at night. Findings in the accident were the pilot's intentional operation of the airplane at night during a training flight without operating the position lights contrary to U.S. Customs Service procedures, and the failure of the flightcrews tracking the airplane to notify the pilot before impact with the water.

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.

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.

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOTS' IMPROPER BOOST PUMP PROCEDURE. FACTORS WERE PILOTS' FAILURE TO FOLLOW CHECKLIST, DARK NIGHT, AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF VISUAL REFERENCES DURING A NIGHT APPROACH AND HIS FAILURE TO DETECT AND CORRECT A DESCENT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS.