Casualties unknown

Positioning Flight Collides with Bluff in Nighttime Accident (N6468H)

Littlefield, AZ, US

On September 21, 1996, a Cessna T207A (registration N6468H) was involved in an aviation accident near Littlefield, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during descent for undetermined reasons. Contributing factors were the dark night and mountainous terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A positioning flight at night struck a 4,600-foot bluff over mountainous terrain. The wreckage path extended 567 feet along the direct course, and the engine was developing power at impact.

Incident Overview

A single-aircraft accident occurred during a nighttime positioning flight over mountainous terrain. The airplane collided with the top of a 4,600-foot bluff, resulting in a wreckage path measuring 567 feet in length. The path was oriented along the direct course line from the departure point to the destination.

Pilot Information

The pilot involved had a documented history of transient global amnesia, a medical condition characterized by temporary memory loss.

Wreckage Examination

Examination of the accident site revealed that the wreckage path, spanning 567 feet, was aligned with the intended route. Damage to the engine and propeller indicated that the engine was developing power at the moment of impact.

Conclusion

The investigation did not assign a probable cause for the accident. The available facts describe a collision with terrain during a nighttime positioning flight over mountainous terrain, with the engine operating under power.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06764. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.