Cessna U-206G accident near Yuma, Arizona, March 16, 1993
On March 16, 1993 at about 3:40 am local time, a Cessna U-206G, registered N733TH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Yuma, Arizona (Laguana A. A. F. airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 5 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
AN INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION WHICH LED TO A LOSS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DUE TO LOOSE ALTERNATOR BELT, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING A NIGHT PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AN UNLIT RUNWAY.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 16, 1993 · about 3:40 am local time
- Place
- Yuma, Arizona · Laguana A. A. F. · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 5 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna U-206G · all U-206Gs on the register
- Registration
- N733TH · no longer on the register · serial U20604790
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported a loss of electrical power at night. The pilot made a precautionary landing on an unlighted runway. The pilot stated that it was 'difficult to see' and the airplane touched down midfield. During roll out, the airplane collided with a runway light, overran the runway's departure end, and entered a ditch. The airplane's electrical system was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector. The inspector reported that no mechanical problems were observed except that the alternator's drive belt was found 'extremely loose.' An examination of the airplane's maintenance records and pilot's report revealed that since completion of the last annual inspection, the airplane had been operated for two days during which it was flown for five hours.
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: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,923 hours in all; 57 in this make and model; 189 in the last 90 days; 88 in the last 30 days; 1,790 as pilot in command; 1,240 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 13, 1993; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520-F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GYM Guaymas at 11:30 pm
- Destination: CXL Calexico CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 18, 5,024 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, bright
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 4 |
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.