# NTSB FTW90LA023: Cessna P206, N2566X, Thelma, TX, November 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 5, 1989, 12:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Thelma, TX
- Coordinates: 29.280096, -98.480758 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2801&lon=-98.4808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA023

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO DRAIN ALL THE WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING PREFLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT SWITCHED FROM THE RIGHT TO THE LEFT FUEL TANK AND THE ENGINE QUIT. HIS RESTART ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESFFUL AND HE SET UP A FORCED LANDING APPROACH TO AN OPEN FIELD. ON FINAL, THE ACFT STRUCK POWER LINES AND SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED LARGE QUANTITIES OF WATER THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM AND ENGINE. THE FUEL CAPS WERE OF THE PROPER KIND AND IN GOOD CONDITION. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD BEEN TOPPED OFF 6 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THAT HE SUMPED THE TANKS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ACFT HAD FLOWN AT LEAST ONCE AFTER THE LAST REFUELING. THE ACFT HAD BEEN TIED DOWN OUTSIDE AT AN AIRPORT THAT HAD RECEIVED 5 INCHES OF RAIN DURING THE WEEK PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2566X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2566X-1990-12-15), registration cancelled 1990-12-15, S/N P2060066 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P206
- Registry model: [Cessna P206](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p206) (registry code 2073304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P206-0066
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lister, John C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: 74R, SAN ANTONIO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,276 total, 141 in this make and model, 5,310 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SSF, 10 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 19891105044279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891105044279A), Nov 5, 1989: Cessna P206, San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Struck powerline and crashed on forced landing. Water in fuel. Had sat out in heavy rain.

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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