Pilot Debrief

CESSNA U206 near Ely, NV — 2016-06-30

Final reportGAA16CA362
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Date
2016-06-30
Location
Ely, NV, USA
Airport
ELY
Aircraft
CESSNA U206
Registration
N9304R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The flight instructor's incorrect pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a tail strike.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that during a public-use flight in a single-engine airplane, he was providing instruction to an airline transport pilot who was only rated for multi-engine airplanes. The flight instructor further reported that the pilot receiving instruction was the pilot flying and was "fast" on final approach. During the landing flare, the airplane ballooned and bounced once. After the bounce, the flight instructor applied aft flight control pressure because he believed the airplane was going to touch down nose wheel first. The subsequent landing roll was completed without further incident. After loading additional passengers, the flight instructor completed the return flight to their domicile without further incident. During a post-flight inspection damage was found to the tail hook and aft fuselage area. Further inspection revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft bulkhead, which was likely the result of a tail strike during the bounced landing during the previous flight. The flight instructor reported that he did not hear the tail strike during the bounced landing and he did not inspect the empennage before departing for the terminating destination. The flight instructor did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Instructor should have inspected the empennage before departing after the bounce.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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