Cessna T206 accident near Center, Texas, May 20, 2020
On May 20, 2020 at about 9:40 pm local time, a 2001 Cessna T206, registered N51610, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Center, Texas (Center Muni airport). It was a personal 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
The non-instrument rated pilot’s intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions (clouds) which resulted in spatial disorientation and an inflight loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 20, 2020 · about 9:40 pm local time
- Place
- Center, Texas · Center Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T206 H, built 2001 · all T206s on the register
- Registration
- N51610 · no longer on the register · serial T20608338
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-instrument rated pilot and passenger were returning to their home airport. Due to localized weather, instrument meteorological conditions prevailed over and in the vicinity of the airport. Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) data recorded the airplane maneuver around the airport multiple times including one approach to the runway. During the airplane’s last approach toward the runway, the airplane made a 180° right turn about 1/4 mile southeast of the runway and then descend. The last ADS-B point recorded the airplane in a right descending turn, about 1,000 ft agl. Witnesses on the ground saw the airplane in a vertical nose-low attitude with a loud engine noise, as the airplane descended and impacted the ground. A review of weather information found an overcast ceiling about 1,500 ft agl with cloud tops near 3,500 ft mean sea level (msl) and the potential for moderate turbulence below 3,000 ft msl. There was no evidence that the pilot received a weather briefing before the flight. The airport was closed 44 days before the accident and a Notice to Airman was published and available. In addition, the automated weather reporting facility was turned off and not broadcasting weather information. Investigators did not determine if the pilot was aware that the airport was closed. The airplane’s impact drove the airplane deep into the ground. Due to impact damage and distortion, a detailed examination of the wreckage could not be accomplished. Of the portions examined, no anomalies were detected with the airframe and engine which would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Toxicology detected the diphenhydramine, ethanol, and n-propanol in putrefied samples. The diphenhydramine level was below the therapeutic range and likely did not contribute to the accident. Ethanol and n-propanol were likely produced postmortem. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the non-instrument rated pilot’s intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions (clouds) which resulted in spatial disorientation and an inflight loss of control.
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 approach defining event
- VFR encounter with IMC during approach
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Clouds › Effect on personnel
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Obscuration › Effect on personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 676 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GLE Gainesville TX at 7:40 pm
- Destination: F17 Center TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 5,501 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,700 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 9:35 pm from K4F2, 22 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR K4F2 202135Z AUTO 06003KT 10SM OVC017 20/18 A2987 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE THRU SE T01990175=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
11 documents, released by the NTSB on May 11, 2022. 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 | Meteorology Factual Report | PDF, 35 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Meteorology Attachment 1 - Shreveport WSR-88D Animation | AVI file | Download |
| 3 | Flight Track Overlays | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Medical Information | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Examination Summary | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 8 | ADS-B Data Csv | data file | Download |
| 9 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Archived Notams | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | 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.