Cessna T206H accident near Austin, Texas, June 16, 2022
On June 16, 2022 at about 7:00 pm local time, a 2009 Cessna T206H, registered N52854, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Austin, Texas (Austin-Bergstrom Intl airport). It was a public-use flight (state) under public-use (government) rules. 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to an engine fire that resulted from failure of the turbocharger exhaust clamp, which allowed hot exhaust gases to damage other vital engine components.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 2022 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Austin, Texas · Austin-Bergstrom Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T206H, built 2009 · all T206Hs on the register
- Registration
- N52854 · no longer on the register · serial T20608939
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight (state) · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff he experienced smoke in the cockpit. The pilot reported to air traffic control that he wanted to return to the airport; however, the amount of smoke continued to increase and the engine stopped producing power. The pilot opened the side windows and located a lake below him into which he ditched the airplane. Postaccident examination revealed that the v-band clamp securing the turbocharger exhaust fractured and allowed hot exhaust gas to blow over the accessory section of the engine. The hot exhaust gases caused damage to several components, resulting in a fire and total loss of engine power. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB), CE-18-07, recommending detailed inspections of v-band exhaust couplings be performed at 100-hour intervals. The accident occurred on the first flight following a 100-hr inspection that indicated an examination of the exhaust system. The investigation did not determine the total time in service of the clamp or whether a specific examination of the v-band clamp was accomplished.
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
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during enroute (climb to cruise)
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (climb to cruise)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine exhaust › (general) › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 17,000 hours in all; 3,500 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,969 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 15, 2022; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Texas Parks And Wildlife Dept
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 30,000 ft
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KAUS, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KAUS 161853Z 15005KT 10SM BKN300 36/17 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP165 T03560167 VISNO RWY17R $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on January 4, 2024. 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 | Photos | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Maintenance Record Excerpts | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot Interview | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-18-07 | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Best Practices Guide for Maintaining Exhaust System Turbocharger to Tailpipe V-band Couplings / Clamps | PDF, 36 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector | 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.