Probable cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in hard, bounced landing and subsequent tail strike.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the airplane reported that after descending through a cloud layer on an instrument approach, he acquired the airport environment and continued the approach to land in visual meteorological conditions. During the landing flare, the airplane landed hard and then bounced. On subsequent landing the empennage struck the runway surface, followed by the nose wheel, which resulted in a tire blowout. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA117 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 18, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lewiston, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- Lewiston/Nez Perce County (LWS)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna T206H
- N-number
- N465CS
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2015
- 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.