No fatalities

Hard Landing on Mountain Dirt Airstrip Leads to Tail Strike and Repairs (N5421X)

Lowman, ID, US

On July 28, 2006, a Cessna TU206G (registration N5421X) was involved in an aviation accident near Lowman, ID. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of aircraft control due to a downdraft on short final followed by an uncontrolled descent to a hard landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During landing on a mountain dirt airstrip, an airplane experienced a hard impact and bounced into a ditch, resulting in damage to the empennage and subsequent repairs.

Incident Description

The pilot was landing on a mountain dirt airstrip that lacked a windsock on the approach end. The approach end terminated in a lake, and the runway extended uphill with a 6 percent grade. According to the pilot, a "sinker" was consistently present where the runway meets the water. As the airplane transitioned from flying over water to over the end of the runway, the pilot reported that the airplane was "really slammed down," and despite applying full takeoff power, the airplane struck the ground hard. The pilot stated that the airplane then bounced approximately 20 yards to the right, where the right wheel entered a ditch about 2 feet deep. The pilot applied full left aileron, full left rudder, and full left brake. The wheel exited the ditch, but the empennage "whacked" the ditch berm with considerable force.

Damage and Repairs

A Form 337 (major repair) was issued for the aircraft. The following parts were replaced: two skin pieces, two stringers, two frame bulkheads, one access door, and one tailcone assembly doubler.

Context

No further details about the aircraft, operator, location, date, occupants, or injuries were provided in the source. The incident involved a mountain dirt airstrip with an uphill grade and a lake at the approach end.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 28 Jul 2006 Cessna TU206G accident near Lowman, ID?

During landing on a mountain dirt airstrip, an airplane experienced a hard impact and bounced into a ditch, resulting in damage to the empennage and subsequent repairs.

Were there any fatalities in the 28 Jul 2006 Cessna TU206G accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 28 Jul 2006 involved a Cessna TU206G, registration N5421X, at Lowman, ID.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's loss of aircraft control due to a downdraft on short final followed by an uncontrolled descent to a hard landing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20060814X01166. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.