NTSB Factual Report

On June 28, 2001, about 1300 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna U206D single engine airplane, N72218, veered off the runway and collided with a berm during a landing at the Boulder City Municipal Airport, Boulder City, Nevada. The airplane was registered to Riffey Co., LLC, and operated by Lake Mead Air, both of which are based in Boulder City, Nevada. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 135 as an on-demand nonscheduled domestic passenger flight. Neither the certificated commercial pilot nor the five passengers were injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated at Grand Canyon Bar Ten airstrip, Colorado City, Arizona, about 1215.

In a written statement provided by the pilot, he reported he was performing a routine landing on runway 27L and the wind was reported as light and variable. During the touchdown, the airplane encountered a "crosswind of approximately 10 knots." The pilot applied left rudder to counteract the effect of the wind and retracted the flaps. At that point the "passenger's knee bumped the throttle," and as a result the manifold pressure increased. The pilot pulled the throttle to idle at the same time the left wing lifted. The airplane then veered to the right side of the runway where it encountered the dirt berm.

The left main landing gear structure separated from the fuselage and the propeller sustained substantial damage. The pilot added in his written statement that no passengers were injured during the event. He also stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The pilot later informed investigators that he wasn't sure if the passenger's knee bumped the throttle.

According to a written statement provided by the left rear seat, pilot-rated passenger, the pilot turned onto final approach at a "relatively high altitude and high airspeed." The airplane was approximately 80 knots over the runway and the airplane "'floated' down the runway in ground effect" as the pilot attempted to maintain control. The airplane bounced upon landing and the pilot pulled back on the control yoke. The airplane touched down and turned 90 degrees to the right toward the edge of the runway. As the airplane's landing gear encountered the gravel on the side of the runway, the airplane slowed and the pilot "regained directional control." The pilot steered the airplane toward the runway centerline and applied power; however, at that point the nose landing gear collapsed and the propeller struck the ground, stopping the engine.

The passenger reported the landing gear was substantially damaged and the airplane came to a stop resting on its left wing. He added that they could not open the doors, so they had to push a window out in the back of the airplane. The passenger stated that the pilot failed to retract the flaps during the event. He also reported the wind as calm at the time of the accident. According to the passenger, he sustained serious neck and back injuries as a result of the accident when he was "thrown into the back of the pilot's seat."

Another company pilot reported that the wind was from 140-170 degrees at 9 knots with gusts to 16 knots and dust devil activity east and south of the runway.

The commercial pilot reported having accumulated a total of 705 hours, of which 29 hours were flown in the accident airplane make and model. The 29 hours of Cessna 206 time the pilot had accumulated was flown within the preceding 30 days.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the tailwind gust and subsequent failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing.