Probable cause
The pilot's misjudgment of the landing flare which resulted in a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported landing "flat" and the airplane "bounced." After a second "bounce" the pilot initiated a go-around. However, when the nose landing gear contacted the runway a third time, the nose wheel "blew out." The airplane veered to the left, exited the runway pavement, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot observed no anomalies during the preflight inspection. A flight instructor who witnessed the accident stated that the airplane remained in a "nose down pitch attitude" until the nose wheel contacted the runway which caused the airplane to "bounce." After the third bounce, the nose wheel "blew out sending white smoke into the air."
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20CA349 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 1, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bentonville, Arkansas
- Nearest airport
- Bentonville Muni/Louise M Thad (VBT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna T206
- N-number
- N829PA
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2009
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.