Cessna T210G accident near So Lake Tahoe, California, August 22, 2006
On August 22, 2006, a Cessna T210G, registered N6821R, was substantially damaged in an accident near So Lake Tahoe, California (South Lake Tahoe 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 failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and his inadequate remedial actions during a balloon in the landing flare, which resulted in a stall and hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 22, 2006
- Place
- So Lake Tahoe, California · South Lake Tahoe Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210G · all T210Gs on the register
- Registration
- N6821R · no longer on the register · serial T210-0221
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane ballooned in the landing flare and landed hard resulting in structural damage to the firewall. While on the approach, the pilot reviewed the automated surface observation system (ASOS) data three times, with 2 minutes separating the data. The wind intensity for the three readings was between 8 and 9 knots from directions that were from 210 degrees to 200 degrees with the final reading at 190 degrees. After review of the ASOS data the pilot elected to land on runway 18. While over the runway in ground effect, with the power reduced, the airplane abruptly gained altitude. The pilot reported that the airspeed was low and the airplane stalled and landed hard on the runway at an angle. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 321 hours in all; 153 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 233 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,067 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Teledyne Continental TSIO-520-M9B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FAT Fresno CA at 11:35 pm
- Destination: TVL S Lake Tahoe CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 8,544 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.