Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB ERA10FA027
CESSNA U206G — Elizabethton, TN
| Date | October 22, 2009 |
| Location | Elizabethton, TN |
| Aircraft | CESSNA U206G |
| Purpose of flight | Instructional |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 38 |
| Pilot total time | 412 hrs · Building experience |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 2 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to remain clear of rising terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-(general)-(general)-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot - C
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Mountainous/hilly terrain-Contributed to outcome
What happened
Shortly after takeoff, on a training flight to conduct terrain following maneuvers at low altitude and maximum gross weight, the airplane collided with trees on a mountain side. The airplane impacted at 3,761 feet above mean sea level on a 6,285-foot mountain peak. Although the airplane was nearly consumed by a post-crash fire, a postaccident examination of the engine and airframe found no mechanical anomalies that would have prevented the normal operation of the airplane. There were no witnesses to the accident.