Last Seen, "In A Vertical Nose-Low Attitude Just Before The Airplane Impacted The Ground"

Location: Center, TX Accident Number: CEN20LA186
Date & Time: 05/20/2020, 1640 CDT Registration: N51610
Aircraft: Cessna T206 Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On May 20, 2020, about 1640 central daylight time (CDT), a Cessna T206N airplane, N51610, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Center, Texas. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight.

According to preliminary information, the airplane departed from the Astronaut Kent Rominger Airport (RCV), Del Norte, Colorado about 0920 mountain daylight time. The flight had stopped at the Gainesville Municipal Airport (GLE), Gainesville, Texas, and the pilot purchased 65 gallons of fuel. The flight departed GLE about 1440 CDT and was performing a visual landing at Center Municipal Airport (F17), Center, Texas.

Eyewitnesses saw the airplane approach runway 35 and heard the airplane's engine noise as the airplane did a go-around or aborted the landing. The next time the witnesses saw the airplane it was in a south of the runway in a vertical nose-low attitude just before the airplane impacted the ground.

The wreckage was located in a wooded area, south of runway 35. Impact signatures were consistent with a near vertical impact angle. There was no postimpact fire. All major flight control surfaces were accounted for at the accident site. The engine was driven into the ground approximately 5 feet.

Preliminary weather information for the accident flight was collected. A sounding model showed the potential for a broken to overcast layer of clouds at 1,500 ft above ground level. The nearest aviation weather reporting facility located 22 nautical miles from the accident reported a broken ceiling at 1,300 ft. Infrared satellite imagery showed a layer of low stratiform clouds over the accident site with cloud tops near 3,000 ft.

The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov