Cessna TU206G accident near Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico, June 18, 2011
On June 18, 2011 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Cessna TU206G, registered N735JY, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico (Truth Or Consequences airport). It was an aerial observation flight 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
The pilot's inability to control the airplane on take off.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 18, 2011 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico · Truth Or Consequences · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna TU206G · all TU206Gs on the register
- Registration
- N735JY · no longer on the register · serial U20604932
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and his passenger had just completed a photo mission and returned to a local airport to refuel before departing back to their home airport located in another state. While preparing for the return flight, the pilot noted the wind was increasing, but the visibility was 20 miles and the sky was clear. The pilot taxied to the runway and took off. He said that he rotated at 60 knots and as soon as the airplane became airborne, a large dust devil exploded across the runway and enveloped the airplane. He was unable to see due to the dust and the airplane yawed to the left approximately 150 degrees, was forced to the right side of the runway, and back onto the ground. The airplane landed on the main gear with the engine still at full power. The pilot immediately reduced engine power and applied the brakes. The airplane skidded across a taxiway and collided with a runway sign resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that he had five seconds to react to the situation and there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. A review of the automated weather reports at the airport at the time of the accident, did not report any dust-devil activity.
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
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Dust devil/whirlwind › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,795 hours in all; 502 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1
The aircraft
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor TSIO-520 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Cooper Aerial Photo INC
The flight
- Departed from: TNC Truth Or Consequences NM
- Destination: Phoenix AZ
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 31
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 14 knots, gusting 24
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.