# NTSB CEN26LA163: Textron T206H, N411CV, Wichita, KS, April 3, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: April 3, 2026, 11:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Wichita, KS
- Coordinates: 37.652385, -97.428098
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6524&lon=-97.4281&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 17, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202778
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202778/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202778
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA163

## Probable cause

The flight crew’s failure to ensure that the rear cargo door was properly latched before flight.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Textron T206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2073343), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Textron T206H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2073343), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Textron T206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2073343), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor reported that while in flight, he heard a loud noise and the noise inside the cabin increased. He turned around and realized that the aft (cargo) door had opened. The airplane landed without further incident. He noted that the Cessna 206 baggage door has a safety switch on the forward baggage door latch that prevents use of flaps when the door latch is not engaged and that the flaps were operational during the flight. He noted that the baggage door had been opened at least 2 times during the preflight inspection of the airplane. The pilot receiving instruction stated that during flight he heard a loud bang and a rush of air. He turned and saw that the rear half of the cargo door had opened in flight. They returned to the airport where an uneventful no-flap landing was made. He said that both cargo door handles were in the latched position before the flight. The operator of the airplane provided a video showing that it is possible to move the aft cargo door latch handle into the latched position without the door mounted lower latch hook properly engaging the fuselage mounted latch plate. Additionally, there were scrape marks on the latch plate and door sill that were consistent with the lower latch having not been properly engaged. According to the “Pilot’s Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Flight Manual” for the airplane, the flap interrupt switch that the flight instructor noted is installed in the upper sill of the forward cargo door opening and does not detect if the latch hooks have engaged the latch plates. The preflight checklist for the airplane included the following: “Cargo Doors - CHECK (visually verify upper and lower cargo door latches are securely engaged) (right side only)” The airplane received substantial damage to the aft fuselage when the rear cargo door opened and impacted the fuselage side.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N411CV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N411CV), registered now, S/N T20609251, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TEXTRON AVIATION INC T206H
- Registry model: [Textron T206H](https://openairdocs.org/model/textron-t206h) (registry code 2073343) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-aj1a) (registry code 42004, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T20609251
- Year built: 2016
- Airframe hours: 1137
- Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Textron Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Textron Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 2026
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: KICT
- Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Data recorder, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 15, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,714 total, 480 in this make and model, 66 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Flight instructor; age 25; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,686 total, 199 in this make and model, 1,518 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 26 knots, gusting 34
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observed at: KICT
- METAR: METAR KICT 031553Z 18026G34KT 10SM BKN019 OVC027 22/18 A2977 RMK AO2 PK WND 18037/1516 SLP071 T02220183=

## 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 20260403010559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260403010559A), Apr 3, 2026: Textron Aviation Inc T206H, Wichita, KS, Substantial damage. During a part 91 instructional proficiency flight at kict, the aircraft completed a planned no-flap landing and subsequent touch-and-go. During climb out on…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202778. 72.9 MB in all.

- Video from operator (item 1, MOV, 65.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20549758&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=20260407_205605000_iOS-Rel.MOV
- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20552160&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot statement (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 318 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20552372&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Flight instructor statement (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20552352&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CFI%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's operating handbook excerpts (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20552801&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=POH%20Excerpts-Rel.pdf
- Accident photos (item 6, PDF, 6 pages, 5 photos, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20562067&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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.

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