Cessna P206B accident near Truckee, California, September 8, 2009
On September 8, 2009 at about 1:49 am local time, a Cessna P206B, registered N206ST, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Truckee, California (Truckee-Tahoe Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed for flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with the ground. Contributing to the accident was the intermittent failure of the stall warning system due to a contaminated switch.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 8, 2009 · about 1:49 am local time
- Place
- Truckee, California · Truckee-Tahoe Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P206B · all P206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N206ST · no longer on the register · serial P206-0356
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses reported observing the airplane take off from the runway and enter a left turn. One witness, a rated pilot, stated that the airplane was climbing about 100 feet per minute or less during takeoff. It appeared that the pilot was executing the left turn noise abatement departure procedure and had completed an estimated 270-degree left turn. The witness further stated that as the airplane was "in line with runway 28," he observed the left wing of the airplane drop about 40 to 60 degrees, followed by a "partial recovery," before entering a "knife edge" and descending toward the ground. The passenger seated in the right front seat reported that, during takeoff initial climb, the airplane suddenly pitched upward. The passenger stated that the pilot leveled the airplane and the "right wing dipped." As the pilot leveled the airplane a second time, the "left wing dipped" and the airplane impacted the ground and nosed over. Examination of the accident site by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed that the airplane impacted an open field adjacent to the airport. Examination of the recovered wreckage revealed that impact signatures on the nose, wings, and fuselage were consistent with a stall and/or spin. No evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies was discovered with the engine or airframe. Review of data obtained from a handheld global positioning system (GPS) that was recovered from the airplane revealed that the airplane initiated a left climbing turn after takeoff. The data depicted that during the climb the GPS leg ground speed fluctuated between 77 and 92 miles per hour. The last recorded GPS data track point indicated a leg speed of 89 miles per hour. Using reported and estimated weights of the pilot and three passengers, aircraft empty weight, full fuel, and the weight of the baggage removed from the airplane, the airplane was within center of gravity and maximum gross weight limitations. Testing of the stall warning system revealed contamination in the switch that resulted in intermittent performance of the system.
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 in flight during initial climb defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft systems › (general) › (general) › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 257 hours in all; 95 in the last 90 days; 21 in the last 30 days; 166 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 30, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TRK Truckee CA at 1:49 am
- Destination: San Jose CA
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 1:50 am from TRK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.