Preliminary information
On December 11, 2025, about 1340 central standard time, a Cessna TU206F, N917WC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pell City, Alabama. The commercial pilot was not injured. The single passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight.
The pilot reported that he departed on the aerial observation flight with 107 gallons of fuel onboard for a planned 4-hour flight. About 3 hours and 45 minutes into the flight, the pilot observed fluctuations of the fuel quantity and fuel pressure gauges followed, by a sudden total loss of engine power. After informing air traffic control of the emergency, the pilot made an emergency landing in a field, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.
A postaccident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the nose landing gear had collapsed and the empennage had partially separated during the forced landing. The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.
Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA066 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 11, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pell City, Alabama
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna TU206
- N-number
- N917WC
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1973
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial observation
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.