Rockwell 690B accident near Taylor, Texas, April 9, 2016
On April 9, 2016 at about 2:51 pm local time, a 1978 Rockwell 690B, registered N690TH, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering near Taylor, Texas. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of control while maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 9, 2016 · about 2:51 pm local time
- Place
- Taylor, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell 690B, built 1978
- Registration
- N690TH · no longer on the register · serial 11487
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, and a flight instructor were performing a recurrent training flight. Radar data showed that the airplane departed and climbed to an altitude about 5,000 ft above ground level. About 5 minutes after takeoff, the airplane conducted a left 360° turn followed by a right 360° turn, then continued in level flight for about 2 minutes as it slowed to a groundspeed of about 90 knots, which may have been indicative of airwork leading to slow flight or stall maneuvers. The airplane then entered a steep bank and impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude. Both engines and propellers displayed evidence of operation at the time of impact, and postaccident examination revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airframe or engines. The instructor had a history of obstructive sleep apnea. The investigation was unable to determine how well the condition was controlled, if he had symptoms from the condition, or if it contributed to the accident. Toxicology testing revealed low levels of ethanol in specimens from both pilots; however, it is likely that some or all of the ethanol detected was a result of postmortem production, and it is unlikely that alcohol impairment contributed to the accident. Toxicology testing also detected the primary psychoactive compound of marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and its metabolite, tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (THC-COOH), in specimens obtained from comingled remains; the investigation was unable to reliably determine which pilot had used the impairing illicit drug. Additionally, it is not possible to determine impairment from tissue specimens; therefore, the investigation was unable to determine whether THC impaired either of the pilots or if it may have contributed to the accident.
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
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,351 hours in all; 65 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 1,177 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 16, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Flight instructor
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 25,975 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,002.5 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, April 6, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 10,375 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Honeywell TPE331-10T-51 (turboprop); 6,330 hours total
- Engine 2: Honeywell TPE331-10T-51 (turboprop); 9,473 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: GTU Georgetown TX at 2:41 pm
- Destination: GTU Georgetown TX
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 11,000 ft; a few clouds at 2,900 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 2:50 pm from GTU, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
14 documents, released by the NTSB on February 14, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | radar Data | spreadsheet | Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Austin Tracon Recording | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Google Earth Data File | map file | Download |
| 5 | Google radar Kml Plot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Record of Examination | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Pilot Operating Handbook Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Pilot Endorsement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | NTSB Medical Factual Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 11 | FAA Toxicology - Pilot | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 12 | FAA Toxicology - Flight Instructor | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 13 | Party Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 14 | Wreckage Release | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.