Cessna TU206 accident near Tusayan, Arizona, August 28, 2020
On August 28, 2020 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 1967 Cessna TU206, registered N3422L, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Tusayan, Arizona (Grand Canyon National Park Apt airport). It was a skydiving flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of contamination in the airplane’s fuel system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 28, 2020 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Tusayan, Arizona · Grand Canyon National Park Apt · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna TU206 B, built 1967 · all TU206s on the register
- Registration
- N3422L · registry record · serial U206-0722
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Skydiving flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while abeam the runway numbers on a left downwind in preparation to land after performing a skydiving drop, the engine lost power and then totally quit. The pilot performed a forced landing to a two-lane highway. While maneuvering to land, the airplane collided with a light pole and came to rest inverted, substantially damaging the airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed water- and debris-contaminated fuel in the airframe fuel filter bowl and water-contaminated fuel in the fuel manifold and fuel pump. Also, the fuel inlet screen was mostly clogged with what appeared to be dirt and corrosion. The engine most likely lost power due to fuel contamination, as the fuel filter, fuel manifold, and fuel pump all tested positive for water.
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
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 517 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 53 in the last 90 days; 31 in the last 30 days; 398 as pilot in command; 23 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 17, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,720 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 26, 2020; 62 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors TSIO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GCN Grand Canyon AZ at 5:30 pm
- Destination: KGCN Grand Canyon AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 8,999 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 5:54 pm from GCN, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on July 8, 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 | Engine Data Monitor - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Attachment 1 to Engine Data Monitor - Specialist's Factual Report | data file | Download |
| 3 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversation with Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Airframe and Engine Examination Summary | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 6 | NTSB Jpi Examination Report | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Evidence Control Forms | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Photo Array of Accident Site | PDF, 4 pages | 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.