Seward, AK, USA
N4447Z
Cessna 206
While conducting a 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight, the commercial pilot was landing a nose wheel-equipped airplane on a gravel-covered off airport site, with a prevailing left crosswind. The pilot stated he inadvertently allowed the airplane to touchdown to the right of the landing site, and the right wing and nose wheel struck rock-covered terrain. The nose wheel subsequently collapsed, and the airplane pivoted to the right, followed by the left wing striking the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
On October 9, 2005, about 1145 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N4447Z, sustained substantial damage while landing on a gravel-covered off airport site, located 45 miles east of Seward, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated at the Seward Airport, Seward, about 1115. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on October 13, the pilot reported that he was landing on a gravel-covered off airport site, with a prevailing left crosswind. The pilot stated he inadvertently allowed the airplane to touchdown to the right of the landing site, and the right wing and nose wheel struck rock-covered terrain. The nose wheel subsequently collapsed, and the airplane pivoted to the right, followed by the left wing striking the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in an on ground encounter with terrain, and subsequent loss of control while landing. A factor associated with the accident was a crosswind.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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