Textron Aviation INC T206H accident near Fort Myers, Florida, March 21, 2026
On March 21, 2026 at about 1:05 pm local time, a 2025 Textron Aviation INC T206H, registered N2469H, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Fort Myers, Florida (Salty Approach Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 5 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 21, 2026 · about 1:05 pm local time
- Place
- Fort Myers, Florida · Salty Approach Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 5 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Textron Aviation INC T206H, built 2025
- Registration
- N2469H · registry record · serial T20609822
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 21, 2026, about 0905 eastern daylight time, a Cessna T206H, N2469H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fort Myers, Florida. The pilot and four passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot/owner reported that he purchased the airplane new in November 2025. He returned the airplane to the manufacturer’s factory for inspection and corrective action to the standby battery system, air data/airspeed system, engine monitoring components, and one engine cylinder was replaced due to low compression readings. Following the inspection, repair, and test flights, the airplane was returned to service and the pilot on March 11, 2026. The pilot operated the airplane uneventfully during the days before the accident, including multiple takeoffs and landings, from both paved and soft-field runways. During the accident takeoff, the airplane was departing from Salty Approach Airport (FL90), Fort Myers, Florida. The pilot was attempting a soft-field takeoff technique on runway 10, a 1,800-ft-long, 100-ft-wide, turf runway. The pilot further reported that the airplane remained on the runway longer than expected, and did not achieve a normal liftoff profile within the anticipated distance. Forward visibility during the takeoff roll was limited, consistent with a soft-field takeoff attitude, and the pilot did not recall all of the instrument indications during the takeoff. As the airplane approached the end of the runway, the pilot attempted to lift off, the airplane became airborne and drifted laterally, impacting terrain and obstacles off the runway environment. Review of a witness video showed that for most of the takeoff roll, the airplane’s empennage dragged along the surface of the turf runway. The airplane appeared to become airborne, veered right, exited the right side of the runway, and struck trees near the end of the runway. The airplane came to rest upright and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the right horizontal stabilizer.
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 takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 56 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 2, 2026; 36 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,632 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Destination: RSW Fort Myers FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10, 1,800 ft by 99 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 am from FMY, 19 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KFMY 211253Z 02004KT 10SM CLR 17/12 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP200 T01720122=
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 NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.