Cessna U206E accident near New Market, Virginia, May 12, 2001
On May 12, 2001 at about 11:45 pm local time, a Cessna U206E, registered N948CG, was substantially damaged in an accident near New Market, Virginia (New Market airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to a failure of the number 5 piston for undetermined reasons. A factor in this accident was the inadequate emergency handling provided by the air route traffic controller.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 12, 2001 · about 11:45 pm local time
- Place
- New Market, Virginia · New Market · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna U206E · all U206Es on the register
- Registration
- N948CG · registry record · serial U20601689
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was in cruise flight at 8,000 feet in visual flight rules conditions, when the pilot reported he experienced a total loss of engine power. At that time, the airplane was about 4 miles from an airport with a 2,920-foot long, asphalt runway. The air traffic controller initially cleared the airplane to an airport more than 20 miles from it's position and then directed the airplane to an airport located on the other side of a ridgeline, about 12 miles away. After the pilot reported he could not reach the airport, the controller then directed the airplane to the airport with the 2,920-foot long runway; however the airplane struck the top of a residence and a tree, before it came to rest inverted in a field, approximately 1.5 miles east of the runway. Streaks of oil were present on the bottom of the fuselage and small holes were observed on the top portion of the engine crankcase near the number 5 cylinder. Examination of the engine revealed that the number 5 piston was separated from it's respective connecting rod. The bottom portion of the number 5 piston was broken into several small pieces, which were observed in the engine. Examination of the intact fracture surfaces did not reveal any evidence of fatigue or preexisting cracks; however is was noted that only 75 percent of the number 5 piston boss area, and less then 25 percent of the number 5 piston skirt below the upper oil control ring was recovered. The engine had been operated for about 70 hours since it was rebuilt by it's manufacturer and was installed in the accident airplane, about 11 months prior to the accident.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,840 hours in all; 210 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: August 15, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine
- Flight time: 285 hours in all; 100 in this make and model
- Last flight review: February 9, 1999
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,540 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 15, 2000; 70 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MRB Martinsburg WV at 11:15 pm
- Destination: HKY Hickory NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 7 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:44 pm from SHD, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number NYC01FA122.