Cessna 206 N522HA

Summary

On 23 March 2010 at about 22:15 local time, a Cessna 206 registered N522HA, operated by Homer Air, was involved in an accident near Homer, Alaska, United States. 3 people were on board and 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 March 2010 at 22:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Homer, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Homer (HOM)

Coordinates

59.6456, -151.4767

Aircraft

Cessna 206

Registration

N522HA

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Homer Air

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Homer → Nanwalek

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC10FA029

2 people had minor injuries.

The fatigue failure of the No. 4 engine cylinder head resulting in a loss of engine power. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt a low altitude turn back to the airport, resulting in a loss of control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot departed on a scheduled passenger flight and, shortly after takeoff, about 300 feet above the ground, the engine began to run rough, lose power, and vibrate violently. He attempted to return to the runway, but, during the turn, the airplane impacted snow-covered terrain, coming to rest inverted about 500 feet from the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. A postaccident examination revealed that the No. 4 engine cylinder head was cracked and separated from the cylinder barrel, resulting in the power loss. The pilot's decision to attempt to return to the departure runway with insufficient altitude, instead of landing in the 1,800 foot long clearway, precipitated a loss of control and impact with terrain, adding to the severity of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.