Cessna P206B accident near Spring Branch, Texas, May 17, 2010
On May 17, 2010 at about 11:53 pm local time, a Cessna P206B, registered N50LP, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Spring Branch, Texas (Kestrel Airpark airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 2010 · about 11:53 pm local time
- Place
- Spring Branch, Texas · Kestrel Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P206B · all P206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N50LP · registry record · serial P206-0376
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and passenger were returning to the airport after performing a maintenance test flight. While descending through 2,500 feet mean sea level, the airplane's engine abruptly lost total power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. He then selected an open area and performed a forced landing. During the landing the airplane impacted terrain resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wing spar. During recovery of the airplane, the recovery crew drained approximately 10 gallons from the right fuel tank and found the left fuel tank empty. An examination of the airplane's fuel system revealed debris partially obstructing the filter of the fuel mixture unit. No other filters contained this debris and the source of the debris could not be determined. The fuel lines were opened and absent of fuel from the auxiliary fuel pump to the fuel manifold. Fuel was observed within the fuel manifold.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Fuel contamination during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Last flight review: April 23, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: K1T7 Kestrel Airpark TX
- Destination: K1T7 Kestrel Airpark TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Wind: from 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from KSAT, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.