Cessna TU206 accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, July 16, 2017
On July 16, 2017 at about 9:30 pm local time, a 1986 Cessna TU206, registered N166Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Albuquerque, New Mexico (Albuquerque Intl Sunport airport). It was a public-use flight under public-use (government) rules. 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 improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a porpoised landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 2017 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico · Albuquerque Intl Sunport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna TU206 G, built 1986 · all TU206s on the register
- Registration
- N166Z · registry record · serial U20606923
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the touchdown, a wind gust caused the airplane to float back into the air. Subsequently, the airplane porpoised, and he initiated a go-around. The second landing was uneventful; however, before the airplane exited onto the taxiway, the front wheel seized. A postaccident examination revealed that the front tire rim was damaged and that the tire was flat. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system on the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 120° at 11 knots. The pilot landed on runway 12.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing
- Abrupt maneuver during landing (aborted after touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,993 hours in all; 14 in this make and model; 43 in the last 90 days; 38 in the last 30 days; 1,611 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 14, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,887 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 29, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Tcm TSIO-520M7B (piston); 1,447 hours total
- Operator: Usda Forest Service Fire & Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: SGU St George UT at 6:15 pm
- Destination: ABQ Albuquerque NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 12, 6,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 9:08 pm from KABQ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on August 31, 2017. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photo (Courtesy of Forest Service) | 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.