Cessna TU206 N6588X

Summary

On 19 August 2019 at about 14:20 local time, a Cessna TU206 registered N6588X, operated by Ew Holdings Llc, was involved in an accident near Regina, New Mexico, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 August 2019 at 14:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Regina, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

36.1786, -106.9614

Aircraft

Cessna TU206

Registration

N6588X

Category

Airplane

Year built

1980

Engines

1

Operator

Ew Holdings Llc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Regina → Alamosa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA19CA496

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper preflight performance planning for a high-density altitude takeoff from a short, dirt airstrip, which resulted in impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, before takeoff from a 1,700-ft-long dirt airstrip with a 9,200-ft density altitude, he set the flaps to 20°, held the brakes, and ran the engine up to full power. He released the brakes and pulled back on the yoke, and the airplane accelerated. The pilot reported that the takeoff roll "seemed longer and slower than usual" and that, about two-thirds of the way down the runway, the airspeed was 45 knots. Near the end of the runway, the airplane momentarily became airborne and reached about 15 ft above ground level and then drifted right and settled back onto the ground. The airplane struck a bush and skidded left, the left landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that the airplane was heavily loaded but was under the maximum allowable gross weight. He added that he believed the loss of control occurred because "the density altitude was high; the strip is very short; and….[the airplane] was heavily loaded." He further stated that the airplane did not accelerate as quickly on the dirt as it did on the hard surfaces he was used to using for takeoffs.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.