History of Flight
On June 7, 2008, at approximately 0039 eastern daylight time, a Cessna T206H (N206GG) crashed into the ocean shortly after departing from George T Lewis Airport (CDK) in Cedar Key, Florida. The pilot and two passengers were killed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was operated by a private individual under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Witnesses reported that the airplane owner had hired the pilot to fly himself, the pilot, and a group of six to Cedar Key for dinner. After arriving, the group met two women at the airport who gave them a ride to a restaurant. Later, the group returned to the airport, and one member discovered a camera left behind. One woman offered to retrieve it, while the owner invited the other woman for an aerial view of the city. The pilot, owner, and woman boarded for a short flight. Witnesses observed the airplane take off north, turn west, and then southwest before a bright flash appeared over the water near North Key Island. When the airplane did not return, authorities were notified.
Search and rescue operations involved the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and local law enforcement. The Citrus County Sheriff's dive team located a possible wreckage site using side-scan sonar, but operations were suspended for safety. The Levy County Sheriff's dive team resumed and found the wreckage about 2.5 miles southwest of CDK. The forward cockpit, with engine and propeller attached, was partially separated from the fuselage. The wings had separated, and the empennage was buckled. All sections remained connected by flight control cables. The pilot and female passenger were found in their seats with seat belts and shoulder harnesses secured.
FAA radar data captured the flight after departure from Runway 5. At 00:36:43, the airplane was at 500 feet mean sea level (msl) in a climbing left turn. At 00:37:31, it reached 900 feet msl on a downwind leg. The last radar return at 00:38:31 showed the airplane at 600 feet msl turning onto base leg.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 48, held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate with similar ratings. His second-class medical certificate was issued May 21, 2008, with no limitations. Logbooks indicated 1,370 total flight hours, including 12.3 hours in the accident airplane, 225 hours of night flying, and 157 hours of actual instrument time.
Aircraft Information
The accident airplane, a 2004 Cessna T206H (serial number T20608495), was a six-seat, high-wing aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear. It was equipped with a Garmin G1000 avionics system and backup instruments. The engine was a turbocharged Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A producing 310 horsepower. The last annual inspection was performed on February 13, 2008, at 719.5 total hours, and the last maintenance on May 9, 2008, at 764.50 hours.
Meteorological Information
The nearest weather station, Cross City Airport (CTY) 30 miles north, reported at 0053: winds light and variable, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 16°C, dew point 12°C, altimeter 30.00 inHg. The United States Naval Observatory recorded the moon as a waxing crescent with 20% illumination, below the horizon at the time of the accident.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Postrecovery examination showed all airframe components present. Wings separated at attachment points; the empennage separated forward of the horizontal stabilizer. The forward fuselage was bent downward. The left wing had leading-edge compression damage and was separated mid-span. Fire damage consistent with a postcrash fuel fire was observed. Flight control continuity was established; cable separations were consistent with tension overload or recovery cutting. The flap actuator was in the retracted position; elevator trim was approximately 20° tab up. No preimpact failure or malfunction was found in flight controls.
The engine remained attached to the firewall; control levers were full forward. Engine continuity and compression were established. The vacuum pump and accessories showed damage consistent with saltwater immersion and impact. No preimpact failure was found. The propeller remained attached, and damage indicated it was rotating under power at impact. No preimpact failure was observed.
Medical and Pathological Information
Postmortem examinations determined the cause of death for the pilot and two passengers as blunt force trauma. Toxicology testing by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute detected no carbon monoxide, cyanide, or drugs. Putrefaction was noted, and ethanol was detected.
Tests and Research
Examination of the standby attitude indicator revealed impact damage and corrosion from saltwater immersion, but no preimpact failure. The Garmin G1000 units could not be powered for data extraction due to damage.
Adjacent to the approach end of Runway 5 at CDK, a bronze plaque reads: "NOTICE TO VFR PILOTS: YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HORIZON AFTER DEPARTURE OVER GULF."