Cessna TU206F N8424Q

Summary

On 23 June 2015 at about 17:30 local time, a Cessna TU206F registered N8424Q, operated by Red Eagle Aviation, was involved in an accident near Schafers Meadows, Montana, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 June 2015 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Schafers Meadows, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Schafer USFS Airport (8U2)

Coordinates

48.0744, -113.2403

Aircraft

Cessna TU206F

Registration

N8424Q

Category

Airplane

Year built

1976

Engines

1

Operator

Red Eagle Aviation

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kalispell → Schafers Meadows

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR15LA198

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll in variable and gusting wind conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airline transport pilot was transporting two passengers to a river for a float trip. The pilot reported that, during the approach, the airport's windsock indicated variable wind from the west, with the wind shifting directions, and that gusts filled the wind sock. During the final approach, the airplane experienced an extreme downdraft and touched down about midfield. The airplane began rolling down the runway, and the wind shifted. The airplane then lifted off the runway with a left yaw. The airplane settled back onto the runway, and the pilot attempted to stop the airplane; however, it exited the end of the runway and came to rest in trees. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A weather study revealed that, about the time of the accident, wind was about 10 knots gusting up to 20 knots and that the wind direction was shifting. The cumulus clouds around the mountains and accident site likely increased the effects of the gusting wind conditions. The variable and gusting wind conditions likely contributed to the pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.