Probable cause
The fatigue fracture of both main landing gear legs during the landing roll, which resulted in the collapse and separation of both main landing gear legs.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, before landing on the tidal beach, he conducted two passes over the landing area to check for debris and determine wind direction. He stated that, after touchdown on the beach, the airplane felt like it had a flat tire and subsequently veered to the right. The airplane came to rest in a left-wing-low attitude on a tidal mudflat and sustained substantial damage to the left wing, left horizontal stabilizer, and left elevator.
The pilot examined the airplane and noted that both main landing gear legs had separated just above the main axle attach point. A laboratory examination revealed that both main landing gear legs failed due to fatigue cracking.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC18LA067 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 18, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pedro Bay, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna U206
- N-number
- N441GR
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1972
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.