Cessna U206F accident near Santa Rosa, New Mexico, June 29, 2008
On June 29, 2008 at about 6:59 pm local time, a Cessna U206F, registered N2905Q, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Santa Rosa, New Mexico (Santa Rosa Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 5 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain safe flying airspeed for undetermined reasons resulting in an inadvertent stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2008 · about 6:59 pm local time
- Place
- Santa Rosa, New Mexico · Santa Rosa Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 5 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna U206F · all U206Fs on the register
- Registration
- N2905Q · no longer on the register · serial U20603014
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The single-engine airplane, with a private pilot and four passengers aboard, collided with terrain after departing from an en route stop. Eyewitnesses reported that the airplane climbed slowly and then began a left turn. The airplane was observed to continue the left turn until almost 180 degrees of heading change at which point the airplane's nose dropped sharply and the airplane dove towards the ground. The flight characteristics and rapid descent described by both eyewitnesses were consistent with a stall. An examination of the airframe and engine failed to reveal any deficiencies. A review of a weight and balance calculation retrieved from the wreckage shows that the estimated weight and balance placed the airplanes below maximum weight and within the center of gravity (CG) envelope. Despite some items being consumed in the post-crash fire, belongings retrieved at the crash site appeared to exceed the estimated weight of baggage. A precise weight and balance could not be calculated due to the thermal damage of several items, as well as an unmeasured amount of water intrusion to the remaining items. Using 207.5 as an estimate for baggage on-board the airplane, two weight and balance calculations were constructed using 80 gallons of fuel and 40 gallons of fuel. The 80 gallons of fuel calculated placed the airplane's weight 37 pounds over the maximum weight of 3,600 pounds. The 40 gallons of fuel calculation placed the airplane's weight below the maximum weight, but the center of gravity was over the aft CG limit. Density altitude at the time of the accident is estimated at 6,692 feet. The autopsy report noted that the pilot had severe narrowing of a major coronary artery and evidence of a clot formed at the site of that narrowing. The report further stated that "it is possible that the decedent experienced acute cardiac symptoms (such as a heart attack) shortly after take off."
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 initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Physical › Health/Fitness › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 700 hours in all
- Last flight review: July 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Continental IO-520-F (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: I58 Santa Rosa NM at 6:59 pm
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 19, 5,013 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.34 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from TCC, 53 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
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.