# NTSB LAX88LA250: Cessna TU206G, N6106U, Palo Alto, CA, July 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1988, 12:08 local (19:08 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.450553, -122.099906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4506&lon=-122.0999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26054
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26054/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA250

## 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
  - propeller system/accessories,governor - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - poor, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE WAS LOW. EN ROUTE TO THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROAD WHERE DURING THE LANDING THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TELEPHONE WIRES AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE TERRAIN. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE GOVERNOR IDLER GEAR STUD THAT HOLDS THE IDLER GEAR IN PLACE WAS MISSING. THE GEAR WAS FLOATING FREELY IN A SMALL CAVITY AND WEARING A HOLE THROUGH THE HOUSING ON THE PROPELLER GOVERNOR. METAL WAS FOUND IN THE OIL PAN AND IN THE OIL FILTER. THE ENGINE OVERHAUL WAS COMPLETED 3 OPERATING HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6106U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6106U-1990-12-17), registration cancelled 1990-12-17, S/N U20605323 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TU206G
- Registry model: [Cessna TU206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206g) (registry code 2073357) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20605323
- Airframe hours: 2847
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSI0-520-M 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Spokane Airways Inc.
- Registered owner: Kovacs, Elemer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,216 total, 2,885 in this make and model, 6,057 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F

## 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 19880709026059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880709026059A), Jul 9, 1988: Cessna TU206G, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure, hit wires landing on road. Governor case had hole due to loose idler gear and missing dowell pin

## Other investigations on N6106U (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA82DA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA016), Jan 8, 1982: Cessna TU206G (N6106U), Pullman, WA, substantial damage

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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