Cessna TU206 accident near Phoenix, Arizona, May 21, 2021
On May 21, 2021 at about 7:23 pm local time, a 1986 Cessna TU206, registered XBBLB, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Phoenix, Arizona (Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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 pilot's failure to maintain directional control after an encounter with a windshear during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 21, 2021 · about 7:23 pm local time
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona · Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna TU206 G, built 1986 · all TU206s on the register
- Registration
- XBBLB · no longer on the register · serial U20606926
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane encountered “windshear.” The left wing started to lift, while correcting the right wing impacted the surface. The airplane exited the runway and came to rest on the taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Windshear › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 570 hours in all; 320 in this make and model; 570 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 15, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,709.5 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 3, 2021; 22 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-M (piston); 1,709 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TUS Tucson AZ at 6:20 pm
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 25L, 7,800 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from KPHX, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KPHX 211853Z COR 24012G18KT 10SM FEW090 FEW140 29/M12 A2985 RMK AO2 T02891117
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on August 3, 2021. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Damage Photos | PDF, 2 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.