Cessna P206 accident near Estacada, Oregon, October 29, 2008
On October 29, 2008 at about 2:00 am local time, a Cessna P206, registered N2570X, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Estacada, Oregon (Valley View Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while on approach to land at night. Contributing to the accident was the electrical system failure and the pilot's diverted attention.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 29, 2008 · about 2:00 am local time
- Place
- Estacada, Oregon · Valley View Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P206 · all P206s on the register
- Registration
- N2570X · no longer on the register · serial P206-0070
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a night visual-flight-rules personal flight, the pilot reported to a witness via cellular phone that the airplane's electrical system had failed and requested that the witness turn on the runway lights. The witness stated that he observed the airplane flying over the airport on a westerly heading with no lights on. As the airplane passed over the runway and initiated a left turn, the witness lost visual contact with the airplane. Shortly thereafter, the witness heard the sound of impact. On-scene examination of the wreckage and ground scars showed that the airplane impacted trees on final approach about 1,000 feet short of the runway's approach end. Detailed examination of the recovered wreckage revealed that the top ground terminal nut that attached the alternator filter to the ground terminal of the alternator was loose. Evidence of severe wear was noted on the alternator filter attach point and the bottom alternator ground terminal nut. Copper particle splatter was observed around the ground terminal and on the alternator filter which was found to be consistent with electrical arcing. The alternator controller remained attached to the firewall. The tamper-proof seal on the controller was found separated at the seam. The controller cover was removed and a diode was observed separated from the circuit board and found loose within the cover. Evidence of heat damage was observed within the lower inboard corner of the printed circuit board where the diode was installed. No additional anomalies were noted with the engine that would have precluded normal operation and production of power. The pilot had undergone a minor surgical procedure two weeks prior to the accident, and was prescribed a medication known to cause impairment. Toxicology testing was consistent with the medication having been taken within 24 hours of the accident; however, the investigation could not definitively establish that the pilot was impaired.
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
- Electrical system malf/failure during enroute
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › Electrical pwr sys wiring › Not specified
- factor Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Attention › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Dark › Effect on operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 191 hours in all; 43 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 25, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,241 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 21, 2007; 124 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,300 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 9S9 Lexington OR
- Destination: 5S9 Estacada OR
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 34, 3,780 ft by 32 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 am from TTD, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.