# NTSB LAX08LA251: Cessna TU206E, N1499M, Murrieta, CA, July 31, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 2008, 11:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Murrieta, CA - Coordinates: 33.671665, -117.068054 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6717&lon=-117.0681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Cessna Aircraft Company, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68591 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68591/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA251 ## Probable cause A malfunction of the flight control system and loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TU206E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2073352), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna TU206E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2073352), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna TU206E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=2073352), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna TU206E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073352), [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 TU206E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073352), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the airplane was climbing after takeoff, the pilot felt what he described as a shift in the airplane's attitude. The pilot tried to correct it with rudder input, then with manual trim, but neither actions corrected the out-of-trim condition. The pilot looked to see if something was jamming the rudder pedals, but could not find anything. The airplane was now in a slight descent and a shallow left turn. Exerting a great amount of effort he was able to get some response with the ailerons. The airplane was in a left turn descending orbit when the engine lost power; at that point the pilot identified a field to land in. Attempts to restart the engine were not successful. The pilot lowered 40 degrees of flaps and made an off-field landing that sheared off the nose gear. First responders reported that fuel was leaking from both wings when they arrived on scene. An FAA inspector reported that he found no anomalies with the airplane's flight controls, and that 60 to 80 gallons of fuel was recovered from the fuel tanks. A second and more detailed examination of the airplane's flight control system also revealed no anomalies. After wreckage recovery, the engine was test run. The engine started and ran for 2 minutes, achieving 2,000 rpm before being shut down. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 2008, about 1120 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna TU206E, N1499M, descended from its departure climb and impacted terrain 7 miles north-northeast of French Valley Airport, Murrieta, California. The private pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight departed French Valley Airport at 1115. The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff the airplane was climbing to 3,500 feet mean sea level when he felt a shift in the airplane's attitude. He tried to correct it with rudder input, then with manual trim, but neither actions corrected the out-of-trim condition. He looked to see if something was jamming the rudder pedals but could find nothing. At this point the airplane was in a slight descent and a shallow left turn. Exerting a great amount of effort he was able to get some response with the ailerons. He was making a large left descending orbit when the engine lost power; at that point he identified a field where he could land. Attempts to restart the engine were not successful. The pilot lowered 40 degrees of flaps and made an off field landing that sheared off the nose gear. First responders reported that fuel was leaking from both wings when they arrived on scene. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the scene, and reported that he found no anomalies with the airplane's flight controls. During the recovery of the airplane, 60 to 80 gallons of fuel was removed from the fuel tanks. The airplane was equipped with an S-Tec 50 autopilot and a Garmin 530 (an all-in-one, GPS, navigation, and communications system). The pilot said that he did not have the autopilot engaged during the flight. The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge and a technical representative from Cessna examined the airplane on September 3, 2008, at the Chino Airport, Chino, California. The airplane's wings had been removed for transport from the accident location to the airport; aileron control cables had been disconnected at the turnbuckles near both wing roots. The aileron, elevator, and rudder control cables were traced from their respective control surface to the cockpit. When pulled on, all control cables moved smoothly and in the appropriate direction; cable runs were clear of any obstructions or evidence of binding. The S-Tec autopilot was energized; the aileron and elevator servos responded to the flight director. When the autopilot disconnect switch on the yoke was depressed, the elevator and aileron servos deenergized. There was no rudder servo. When the autopilot was energized investigators were able to physically override the autopilot using the control yoke. The engine remained mounted to the airframe and was examined in place. The top spark plugs were removed and examined. The electrodes all had similar gaps, exhibited no mechanical damage, and were light gray in color. The engine was rotated by hand and thumb compression was achieved on all 6 cylinders. The spark plugs were reinstalled. The propeller, which was bent around the nose cowling, was removed and replaced with a 2-bladed constant speed propeller. The dip stick indicated 10 quarts of oil in the engine. An external fuel tank was plumbed directly into the fuel boost pump. The engine was successfully started and ran for 2 minutes, achieving 2,000 rpm and 17 inches of manifold pressure. The magnetos were selected on one at a time, resulting in a 50-rpm drop for each one. The engine was shut down by pulling the mixture to the idle cutoff position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1499M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1499M-2010-03-31), registration cancelled 2010-03-31, S/N U20601499, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA TU206E - Registry model: [Cessna TU206E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206e) (registry code 2073352) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U20601499 - Airframe hours: 2945.7 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-C3B 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert E. Abacherli - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 2007, 30.9 hours before - Departed: KF70, French Valley, CA - Destination: KREI, Redlands, CA - Airport: KF70, French Valley Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review March 25, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 2,188 total, 1,934 in this make and model, 2,188 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KRIV, 19 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 20080731842549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080731842549A), Jul 31, 2008: Cessna TU206E, Riverside, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot experienced loss of control of the elevator and rudder. While trying to control the aircraft the engine stopped. The pilot could not restart… 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.