Accident puts Cessna 206 cargo doors back in focus

In an airworthiness concern sheet issued February 27, the FAA sought information from operators “with regard to use, operation, and clarity of placards and instructions” of the cargo doors “as well as any modifications or alterations completed by owners and operators that aid in the usability with and without flaps extended.”

The renewed examination comes in connection with a Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigation of a fatal August 2018 accident involving a Cessna U206G that had been on a sightseeing flight from Fort Simpson Island Water Aerodrome in the Northwest Territories with a pilot and four passengers aboard. “While the pilot was conducting a water landing at Little Doctor Lake, control of the aircraft was lost and the aircraft nosed over, coming to rest inverted and partially submerged. The pilot and 1 passenger were able to escape the submerged fuselage and climb up onto the floats; they were rescued by a nearby boater within 15 minutes. The 3 remaining occupants were unable to escape the fuselage and drowned,” according to the agency’s accident report.

During the investigation, the Transportation Safety Board directed a safety advisory to Civil Aviation, Transport Canada, noting that the wing flaps of the accident airplane “were in the 20° down position, which blocked the forward portion of the rear cargo door.”

The FAA’s airworthiness concern sheet notes that “the FAA, Transport Canada, and Cessna have investigated this area of concern numerous times in the past and have examined possible design changes, but no cost-effective and feasible or practical improvements were identified.”

In 1991, Cessna Aircraft issued a service bulletin for a door-handle modification.

Responses to the airworthiness concern sheet are requested within 30 days by phone or email. See the airworthiness concern sheet for details.

Members may provide their feedback to AOPA by email or by calling 800-USA-AOPA (872-2672) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.