On May 20, 1990, a Cessna 205 (registration N4807U) was involved in an aviation accident near Bluff, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY SELECT AND SURVEY HIS LANDING SITE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot landed on an uncharted, unattended dirt airstrip. During takeoff, the aircraft struck an obstruction, lost control, and departed the side into trees, sustaining substantial damage. The pilot was not injured.
Accident Overview
According to the pilot, the accident occurred when he landed on what he believed to be an uncharted, unattended dirt airstrip. During the subsequent takeoff attempt, the aircraft struck an obstruction on the takeoff surface. The pilot then lost control, and the aircraft departed the side of the takeoff area into trees.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot was not injured, and there was no fire. The pilot stated that neither aircraft deficiencies nor weather were factors in the accident.
Recovery
The aircraft wreckage and the pilot were located the following morning by a Civil Air Patrol aircraft that was searching due to the activation of the accident aircraft's emergency locator transmitter (ELT) from impact force.