Cessna T206H accident near Fullerton, California, June 28, 2008
On June 28, 2008, a Cessna T206H, registered N1296M, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Fullerton, California (Fullerton Muni airport). It was a business 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 control of the airplane during the landing touchdown, resulting in the wings contacting the runway surface and a propeller strike.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 2008
- Place
- Fullerton, California · Fullerton Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T206H · all T206Hs on the register
- Registration
- N1296M · registry record · serial T20608803
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting a normal approach to landing and reported that he maintained proper airspeed and alignment to the runway. The airplane was centered and nose-high as the main gear touched down. The pilot said the airplane suddenly tipped to the left, the propeller struck the runway, and then the right wing tip contacted the runway surface. The airplane came to rest at the center of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and left wing spar. Inspection of the airplane under the supervision of the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no discrepancies with the rudder and brake systems and control system components. The rudder and aileron trim positions were neutral, and there was a difference of about 2 gallons of fuel between the wing tanks. Inspectors also found that the main landing gear wheel fairings were properly installed with no anomalies.
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 on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 489 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 38 in the last 30 days; 301 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 60 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Meridian Health Services
The flight
- Departed from: LVK Livermore CA at 10:00 pm
- Destination: FUL Fullerton CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 3,121 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from KFUL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Other NTSB records under N1296M the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.