Cessna T206H accident near Orangeville, Utah, October 27, 2023
On October 27, 2023 at about 7:45 pm local time, a 2005 Cessna T206H, registered N915DV, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Orangeville, Utah. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's controlled flight into mountainous terrain for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 27, 2023 · about 7:45 pm local time
- Place
- Orangeville, Utah · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T206H, built 2005 · all T206Hs on the register
- Registration
- N915DV · no longer on the register · serial T20608529
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After departing, the airplane climbed to about 8,800 ft on a southwest course and remained at that altitude and on that heading until impacting terrain. No meteorological conditions were present that would have affected the pilot’s visibility on the visual flight rules flight. Although examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation, flight control continuity could not be fully confirmed due to extensive impact and fire damage. There was no evidence of an in-flight bird strike. Additionally, due to the extent of the pilot’s injuries, evaluation of his autopsy for evidence of medical factors that may have affected his ability to operate the airplane was limited. The toxicological examination revealed that the pilot had used the medication cetirizine; however, whether the pilot may have been experiencing some associated mild sedation at the time of the accident could not be determined. Due to the airplane’s extensive impact and fire damage, and the extent of the pilot’s injuries, the reason for the airplane’s controlled flight into terrain could not be determined.
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Mountainous/hilly terrain › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 830 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,129 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 8, 2023
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-520-AJ1A (piston); 3,129 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: VEL Vernal UT at 7:00 pm
- Destination: CDC Cedar City UT
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 5 knots
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 16°F (-9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KPUC, 23 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KPUC 271953Z AUTO 15005KT 10SM CLR 09/M09 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP197 T00941089
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on October 22, 2025. 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 | Investigative Supplemental Material | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Feather Identification Laboratory Letter | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation Lycoming | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation Textron | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 7 | Records of Conversation | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 8 | Tabular radar Data | data file · our copy | Download |
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.
