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Accidents · NTSB SEA89LA055 · Final report

Cessna TU206-G accident near Reno, Nevada, March 11, 1989

On March 11, 1989 at about 10:30 pm local time, a Cessna TU206-G, registered N4957Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Reno, Nevada (Nevada Flyers Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR CROSSWINDS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO LAND THE AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT IN STRONG CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
March 11, 1989 · about 10:30 pm local time · cases in 1989
Place
Reno, Nevada · Nevada Flyers Airport · cases near this airport · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
1 person had minor injuries.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna TU206-G · all TU206-Gs on the register
Registration
N4957Z · registry record · serial 420606059
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

STRONG GUSTING WINDS WERE PRESENT DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLOAT-EQUIPPED. SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN, A GUST OF WIND OCCURRED. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT ON THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE LEFT, OFF THE RUNWAY ONTO SOFT GROUND AND SAGE BRUSH WHERE THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER INVERTED.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.

The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
  • Flight time: 2,600 hours in all; 760 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 2,600 as pilot in command
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
  • Seat: left

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 780 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, July 22, 1988; 10 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 3,700 lb
  • Seats: 6
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Continental TSIO-520-M (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: RNO Reno NV at 10:15 pm
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 16, 4,600 ft by 75 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 270° at 35 knots
  • Visibility: 50 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.

Connections how this case links to the rest of the register

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The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/SEA89LA055.json.

The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.

Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.