Cessna TU206 accident near Regina, New Mexico, August 19, 2019
On August 19, 2019 at about 2:20 pm local time, a 1980 Cessna TU206, registered N6588X, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Regina, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper preflight performance planning for a high-density altitude takeoff from a short, dirt airstrip, which resulted in impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 19, 2019 · about 2:20 pm local time
- Place
- Regina, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna TU206 G, built 1980 · all TU206s on the register
- Registration
- N6588X · registry record · serial U20605962
- 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, before takeoff from a 1,700-ft-long dirt airstrip with a 9,200-ft density altitude, he set the flaps to 20°, held the brakes, and ran the engine up to full power. He released the brakes and pulled back on the yoke, and the airplane accelerated. The pilot reported that the takeoff roll "seemed longer and slower than usual" and that, about two-thirds of the way down the runway, the airspeed was 45 knots. Near the end of the runway, the airplane momentarily became airborne and reached about 15 ft above ground level and then drifted right and settled back onto the ground. The airplane struck a bush and skidded left, the left landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that the airplane was heavily loaded but was under the maximum allowable gross weight. He added that he believed the loss of control occurred because "the density altitude was high; the strip is very short; and….[the airplane] was heavily loaded." He further stated that the airplane did not accelerate as quickly on the dirt as it did on the hard surfaces he was used to using for takeoffs.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
- Landing gear collapse during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Performance calculations › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on operation
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Soft surface › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › (general) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,064 hours in all; 823 in this make and model; 57 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 1,032 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 27, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,830.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 10, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-M (piston); 2,053 hours total
- Operator: Ew Holdings Llc
The flight
- Departed from: Regina NM at 2:20 pm
- Destination: ALS Alamosa CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway S, 1,700 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.32 inHg
- Observation at 2:15 pm from KLAM, 37 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on October 23, 2019. 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 | 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.