The Cessna 206 procedure for ditching and forced landing states that the flaps are to be extended to 40°. While that permits the aircraft to land at a slower speed, it also significantly restricts emergency egress via the cargo door. However, there is no warning about that aspect in the ditching or forced landing pilot’s operating handbook emergency procedures.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that Textron Aviation takes safety action to address the procedure for ditching and forced landing in the pilot operating handbook to ensure pilots are aware that extending the flaps beyond 10° will significantly restrict emergency egress via the cargo door.
The purpose of this letter is to provide a response to the ATSB regarding Textron Aviation’s review of Safety Recommendation AO-2020-110-SR-017.
Background: The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that Textron Aviation (Cessna) take safety action to address the procedure for ditching and forced landings in the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) to ensure pilots are aware that extending the flaps beyond 10o will significantly restrict emergency egress via the cargo door.
Investigation Findings and Corrective Action:
Textron Aviation has reviewed Safety Recommendation A0-2020-110-SR-017 provided by the ATSB. We have reviewed the information and concur with the recommendation to add additional guidance for operators. Temporary Revisions (TR) are being developed for Cessna Model 206 airplanes to include the following warning for forced landing and ditching: WARNING FLAPS 10° OR GREATER MAY IMPEDE EVACUATION FROM THE CARGO DOOR.
The ATSB recognises the acceptance of the recommendation by Textron Aviation and considers that when published this warning will address the safety concern. The ATSB will continue to monitor the issue until the procedures are amended.
Textron aviation has released a temporary revision to be added to the Cessna model 206H Pilot operating handbook and flight manual which will add a warning in Section 3, emergency procedures, forced landings, ditching. The warning states 'Flap 10° or greater may impede evacuation from the cargo door'. This will be incorporated into the manuals at the next revision.
The ATSB acknowledges that Textron has taken action in relation to the aircraft which were manufactured after the Cessna 206 production was restarted and have an electronic pilot's operating handbook and FAA approved airplane flight manual.
However, it is also noted that this action does not apply to older aircraft. The ATSB therefore encourages Textron to continue to work on a solution to fully address this issue for all 206 models.
