Cessna T206H accident near Lakelanier Isl., Georgia, October 11, 2001
On October 11, 2001 at about 8:40 pm local time, a Cessna T206H, registered N919LL, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lakelanier Isl., Georgia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The fatigue failure of the crankshaft for undetermined reasons resulting in the total loss of engine power. A contributing factor in the accident was the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot during the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 11, 2001 · about 8:40 pm local time
- Place
- Lakelanier Isl., Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T206H · all T206Hs on the register
- Registration
- N919LL · no longer on the register · serial T20608174
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Approximately 3 1/2 hours into the flight while flying at 5,000 feet, the pilot heard a loud bang followed by "extreme vibration" of the airframe. He noted a total loss of engine power and a slight smell of smoke. The flight was vectored to a nearby airport but based on the altitude and distance, the pilot was unable to land there. The airplane was ditched with full flaps in a lake and after touchdown the airplane became inverted. The pilot and one passenger exited the airplane which was recovered revealing an oil residue in the engine compartment and also on the bottom skin of the fuselage. Examination of the engine revealed that the right side of the accessory case was displaced aft approximately 2 inches, the crankcase was fractured from the No. 5 to the No. 6 cylinder positions, the crankshaft and the No. 6 cylinder connecting rod were fracture separated. Disassembly of the engine revealed that the No. 5 main bearing saddle was separated from the crankcase and sustained "heavy damage." The parting surfaces of the crankcase halves at the No, 4 main bearing position exhibited "light fretting." Additionally, the crankshaft was fractured at the rear No. 5 crankpin to counterweight cheek area. Metallurgical examination of the fracture surface of the crankshaft revealed fatigue. No, "... non-conformances could be found with the crankshaft or other associated components." The engine had accumulated approximately 296 hours since manufacture at the time of the failure as determined by the airplane's recording tachometer. Review of the maintenance records revealed that the engine oil was drained and serviced last on September 25, 2001.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,769 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 1,250 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 9, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 296 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 1, 2001; 101 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KJST Johnstown PA at 5:00 pm
- Destination: KPDK Atlanta GA
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KGVL, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.