# NTSB CEN25LA165: Cessna T206, N27DV, Natchez, MS, March 27, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 27, 2025, 13:12 local (18:12 UTC) - Place: Natchez, MS - Coordinates: 31.613661, -91.297336 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6137&lon=-91.2973&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 4, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 200092 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200092/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200092 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA165 ## Probable cause Maintenance personnel’s improper maintenance, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as the result of a loose fuel line B-nut. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate 100-hour inspection performed after the recent maintenance. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061500): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061500/cases.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061500/cases.md) - [Maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 143 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported he was about 4 hours and 45 minutes into a survey flight when the engine suddenly lost power. He attempted to troubleshoot and was unable to regain engine power before making an emergency landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that a B-nut was loose on the fuel line at the fuel flow divider. When the electric boost pump was turned on during the examination, fuel flowed freely out of the loose connection. Additionally, multiple discrepancies were noted throughout the engine compartment, including (but not limited to): cylinder base nuts that were loose, a cylinder temperature probe that was hanging by its wire, and grommets that were missing or in disrepair along the fuel and oil lines. Maintenance performed about a week before the accident included the removal and replacement of three cylinders and the completion of a 100-hour inspection. It is possible that the mechanic performing the maintenance removed the fuel line to facilitate the cylinder replacement. Regardless of whether or not the mechanic removed the fuel line, the loose B-nut and other discrepancies found in the engine compartment indicate that the 100-hour inspection completed on the same day as the cylinder replacements was inadequate. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 2025, about 1312 central daylight time, a Cessna T206, N27DV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Natchez, Mississippi. The pilot and copilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The pilot reported that about 4 hours and 45 minutes into a survey flight, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot pitched for best glide and performed emergency checklists items but was unable to regain engine power. He declared an emergency and diverted toward runway 14 at Hardy-Anders Field/Natchez-Adams County Airport (KHEZ), Natchez, Mississippi. Unable to glide to the runway, the pilot attempted to land the airplane to the side of the runway to avoid hitting the approach lighting system. During the landing, the airplane struck a berm, went airborne, and bounced. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Maintenance records showed that the Nos. 3, 4, and 5 cylinder assemblies were removed and replaced about a week before the accident and that a 100-hour inspection was completed on that same date. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that a B-nut was loose on the fuel line at the fuel flow divider. When the electric boost pump was turned on during the examination, fuel flowed out of the loose connection. Additionally, multiple discrepancies were noted throughout the engine compartment, including (but not limited to): cylinder base nuts that were loose on the cylinders that were replaced and one other cylinder, a cylinder temperature probe that was hanging by its wire, and grommets that were missing or in disrepair along the fuel and oil lines. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27DV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27DV), registered now, S/N T20608111, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T206 (H) - Registry model: [Cessna T206H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t206h) (registry code 2073303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T20608111 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 8234.8 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Aero-Graphics, Inc. - Registered owner: Ag N27dv LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 21, 2025 - Departed: KMBO, Maddison, MS - Destination: KHEZ, Natchez, MS - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: HEZ, Hardy-Anders Fld/Natchez-Adams County, runway 14, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 11, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 268.2 total, 83.5 in this make and model, 212.6 as pilot in command, 79.6 in the last 90 days, 26.3 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 22; injuries: unknown; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 5, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 211.3 total, 35.6 in this make and model, 158.5 as pilot in command, 34.2 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 11 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KHEZ - METAR: METAR KHEZ 271756Z AUTO 17011G15KT 10SM CLR 27/12 A3022 RMK AO2 SLP232 T02670122 10267 20178 58006= ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20250327005119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250327005119A), Mar 27, 2025: Cessna T206H, Natchez Adams C, MS, Substantial damage. On March 27, 2025, about 1312 central daylight time, a Cessna T206, [privacy data omitted], was substantially damaged; and was involved in an accident near… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 4, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200092. 13.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19275063&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA165%20-%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19947112&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA165%20-%20PHOTOS-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records review (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19274303&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA165%20-%20AIRPLANE%20-%20Maintenance%20Records%20Review-Rel.pdf - Airplane maintenance records (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19274469&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA165%20-%20ACFT%20-%20Maintenance%20Records_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Wreckage examination (item 5, PDF, 13 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19275008&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA165%20-%20SUMMARY%20-%20Wreckage%20Exam-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19283792&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA165%20-%20EVIDENCE%20-%20Bulk%20Wreckage%20Release_Redacted-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.