# NTSB FTW87FA190: Cessna 206G, N8873Q, Georgetown, TX, August 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1987, 01:45 local (06:45 UTC)
- Place: Georgetown, TX
- Coordinates: 30.640779, -97.680351 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6408&lon=-97.6804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22266
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22266/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA190

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - eng assembly,crankshaft counterweights/vib damper - vibration (cause)
  - engine assembly,camshaft - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - altitude - inadequate
  - stall/mush - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - fuselage,seat - not installed

## Analysis

TEARDOWN OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE COUNTERWEIGHT VIBRATION DAMPER ASSEMBLY WAS OUT OF TOLERANCE. THIS ALLOWED EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE CAMSHAFT DRIVE GEAR AND TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO A WOODED AREA. ALTITUDE WOULD NOT ALLOW HIM TO REACH THE GEORGETOWN AIRPORT AND THE PILOT STATED THAT HE STALLED THE AIRCRAFT AND ALLOWED IT TO SETTLE INTO THE TREES TO MINIMIZE IMPACT SPEED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH ONE PASSENGER SEAT AND TWO PAESENGERS WERE ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT AT IMPACT. THE PASSENGER JUMPSEAT NORMALLY IN THE REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN REMOVED. THE SECOND PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE CARGO AREA BEHIND THE CREW COMPARTMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8873Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8873Q-2017-04-26), registration cancelled 2017-04-26, S/N U20603560, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 206G
- Registry model: [Cessna U206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206g) (registry code 2073356) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20603560
- Airframe hours: 5500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Express,Inc., doing business as Express Air,Inc.
- Registered owner: Air Express, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 7, 1987, 75 hours before
- Departed: AUS, AUSTIN, TX
- Destination: ACT, WACO, TX
- Airport: TS01, Georgetown, runway 36, 4,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,737 total, 730 in this make and model, 1,477 as pilot in command, 266 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 27 nm away

## 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 19870807043439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870807043439A), Aug 7, 1987: Cessna U206G, Georgetown, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power low altitude. Hit trees. Engine counterweight unbalanced. Vibration failed cam. Unrestrained passenger

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.