Cessna 208 accident near Whitewright, Texas, August 11, 2024
On August 11, 2024 at about 11:17 pm local time, a 2001 Cessna 208, registered N420DZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Whitewright, Texas (Tri-County Aerodrome airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s incomplete flare which resulted a hard, flat landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 11, 2024 · about 11:17 pm local time
- Place
- Whitewright, Texas · Tri-County Aerodrome · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 208 B, built 2001 · all 208s on the register
- Registration
- N420DZ · registry record · serial 208B0909
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that she was returning to her home field for landing after performing skydiving operations. The approach was normal until she initiated the flare. During the flare, she perceived the flare was insufficient to arrest the airplane’s descent and added power. The airplane landed hard and flat, collapsing the nose landing gear. The airplane then skidded to a stop. The airplane’s fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures that 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
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,058.2 hours in all; 67.5 in this make and model; 336.3 in the last 90 days; 98.6 in the last 30 days; 956.3 as pilot in command; 491.5 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 14, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,785.5 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 2, 2024; 46 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 9,097 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Honeywell TPE-331-12JR- (turboprop); 4,431 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 48TX Whitewright TX at 11:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 4,500 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 6:50 pm from KGYI, 21 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KGYI 112350Z 11009KT 7SM CLR 32/21 A2999
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on November 19, 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | 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.