Cessna 206 accident near Prospect, Oregon, August 10, 2019
On August 10, 2019 at about 1:20 am local time, a 1964 Cessna 206, registered N5152U, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Prospect, Oregon. It was a firefighting flight under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the counterweight retainer pin plate which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 10, 2019 · about 1:20 am local time
- Place
- Prospect, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 206 Undesignat, built 1964 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N5152U · no longer on the register · serial 206-0152
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Firefighting flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
About 2.8 hours into the fire reconnaissance mission flight, the pilot heard a loud bang followed by violent shaking of the airplane. The pilot believed the airplane was at an altitude of about 1,500-2,000 ft. above the ground. The pilot retarded the propeller control to extend his glide distance while he looked for a place to land. The airplane touched down in a swamp and during the landing, the left wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed extensive damage to the no. 1 cylinder, piston, and connecting rod. The no. 1 cylinder valve guide rods broke through the crankcase, and the rear counterweight and counterweight lobe were broken free from the crankshaft. Numerous metal pieces and shavings were noted in the oil pan including: a broken counterweight, crankshaft counterweight attachment, counterweight retainer pin, damaged retainer pin plates, damaged retainer plate spring clips, and engine casing pieces. One of the damaged retainer pin plates displayed a deep groove, the approximate diameter of a counterweight pin. It is likely that the counterweight retaining pin rotated over time on the counterweight retainer pin plate, causing it to wear down and eventually fail. When the plate failed, the counterweight retainer pin moved from its position and impacted the no. 1 piston rod, causing the counterweight lobe to fracture and the engine to lose power.
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 engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip engine power section › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,355.2 hours in all; 145.8 in this make and model; 126.5 in the last 90 days; 51.1 in the last 30 days; 2,264.2 as pilot in command; 280.1 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 3, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 15,563 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 21, 2019; 53.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,296 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520-A5B (piston); 5,698 hours total
- Operator: Skinner Leasing LLC
The flight
- Departed from: MFR Medford OR at 10:30 pm
- Destination: MFR Medford OR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 10,000 ft; a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 3:22 pm from KMFR, 29 miles away
Weather report (METAR): SPECI KMFR 092222Z 32007KT 10SM -RA FEW060 FEW080 OVC100 18/13 A2992 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NW-E P0004 T01830133=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on May 5, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Exam Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Continental Engine Exam Report | PDF, 39 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Release Form (Continental) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation - Owner | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation - Continental | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.