This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N919CW
- History of Flight:
On September 3, 2026, at about 1518 local time, a Cessna T206H Stationair TC, N919CW, registered to GV Air Inc out of Medford, Oregon, and being operated by Vexall Imaging Inc out of Denver, Colorado, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Telluride, Colorado. The commercial pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The aerial survey flight originated from Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT/KGJT), Grand Junction, Colorado, and was on a return flight to Belen Regional Airport (BGN/KBGN), Belen, New Mexico.
According to flight-tracking history, on August 22, 2026, the airplane conducted a 44m local flight out of Longmont (KLMO), Colorado. On September 3, 2026, at 0452, the airplane departed KLMO on a +3h flight to Belen (KBGN), New Mexico. At 0841, the airplane conducted a 28m local flight out of Belen. At 1029, the airplane departed Belen on a 2h25m flight to Grand Junction (KGJT), Colorado.
According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 1340, the airplane departed KGJT and proceeded to conduct aerial work west of the city and along the I-70. At about 1427, the airplane stopped and proceeded south towards an inflight cruising altitude of 10,000 ft. At 1510, the airplane was seen at 10,400 ft with an average groundspeed of 110 knots. At 1516, the airplane was seen at almost the same altitude and groundspeed as it was approaching a series of mountainous terrain. At 1517, the airplane was at 10,500 ft and 80 knots groundspeed. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at 1518:33, the airplane was at 10,300 ft, 66 knots groundspeed, and approaching the Dolores Peak (13,296 foot peak).
A review of the initial flight from Belen to KGJT shows that the airplane had crossed the same area of the accident site, but was flying at 11,250 ft with a reported groundspeed of 130 knots, which was double the value of what was seen on the end of the accident track.
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| Figure 1: Initial flight from Belen (blue) and accident track (red) |
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| Figure 2: Side-by-side view towards end of track |
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| Figure 3: Another view |
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| Figure 4: ADS-B exchange track ran through Flysto |
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| Figure 5: Flysto end of track |
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| Figure 6: Another view |
Figure 7: ADS-B exchange end of track (left) and initial flight from Belen (right)
- Pilot Information:
The pilot (from Sunrise, Florida), aged 34, held a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land and an airplane multiengine land ratings. He also held an instrument rating and a flight attendant certificate from 2015. His first class FAA medical was issued on April 2026.
- Airplane Information:
The accident airplane, serial number T20608619, was manufactured in 2006. It 6-seat, high-wing, single-engine airplane powered by a turbocharged 310 hp Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A engine. According to an old sale listing, the airplane was equipped with a Garmin G1000 and a GDU-1040 PFD.
According to the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), the stall speed (KCAS) with flaps and power off was 62 KCAS. The stall speed with flaps down and power off was 54 KCAS.
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The airplane impacted mountainous terrain and was consumed by a post crash fire.
- Weather:
(1) Brief:
At 1515, the nearest airport was reporting winds 140 at 9 knots gusting 25 knots, 10 miles visibility, no clouds under 12,000 ft (CLR), temperature 20 °C, dewpoint -2 °C, and an altimeter setting of 30.35 inches of mercury.
At 1535, the nearest airport was reporting winds 170 at 10 knots gusting 18 knots (Direction is variable between 140 and 230), 10 miles visibility, no clouds under 12,000 ft (CLR), temperature 20 °C, dewpoint -2 °C, and an altimeter setting of 30.35 inches of mercury.
The calculated density altitude was 11366 ft.
(2) METARs:
METAR KTEX 032055Z AUTO 15011G18KT 10SM CLR 20/M01 A3036 RMK AO2
METAR KTEX 032115Z AUTO 14009G25KT 10SM CLR 20/M02 A3035 RMK AO2 <<<
METAR KTEX 032135Z AUTO 17010G18KT 140V230 10SM CLR 20/M02 A3035 RMK AO2 <<<
METAR KTEX 032155Z AUTO 21009G21KT 10SM CLR 20/M01 A3035 RMK AO2
(3) Area Forecast Discussion:
477 FXUS65 KGJT 031852 AFDGJT Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1252 PM MDT Thu Sep 3 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated afternoon showers and storms possible through Friday. - Gusty winds return today, with afternoon gusts around 25-35 mph for much of the region. - Precipitation chances return for the holiday weekend, with peak coverage expected Sunday and Monday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 1016 AM MDT Thu Sep 3 2026 WINDY AND MOSTLY DRY THROUGH FRIDAY: The current synoptic level pattern is characterized by a trough moving into the PacNW and a ridge beginning to develop over the Southern Plains. As a result of this building trough, tightening pressure gradient contours aloft will make for stronger winds aloft. This, in addition to ample daytime heating today and Friday will make for periods of those stronger winds mixing down to the surface. Hence, afternoon gusts of 25-35 mph are expected for parts of the area, with the highest coverage of gusts being north of I-70. Dry air works its way into the area today, keeping precipitation chances pretty low to finish off the workweek. However, some isolated afternoon convection should not be ruled out completely for the higher terrain areas today and Friday. RETURN OF MOISTURE FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND: As we become sandwiched between the aformentioned troughing to our northwest and ridging to our southeast, flow aloft will be mostly southwesterly. This continues to be favorable flow for moisture advection into our area. Each day, we should see an increase in shower and storm chances, with Sunday and Monday being the peak in precipitation coverage. Models are also hinting at shortwaves rotating around the periphery of the PacNW low, which could lead to increased forcing, further enhancing precipitation development. Additionally, models are in agreement that PWATs upwards of 200% of normal are expected for much of the area. Because of all this, the potential for heavy rainfall exists, therefore the potential for flash flooding and debris flows also exists. This threat is particularly heightened where soils have reached peak saturation over the past few rounds of showers and storms. Beyond Monday, model outcomes begin to diverge from each other. The GFS appears to be heavy handed bringing in a second tropical system over the Baja Peninsula late next week, which most other models do not have a strong signal on. So at this time, there is uncertainty with how long we hold onto moisture chances next week and therefore forecast confidence remains low beyond Monday. As for temperatures, daytime highs appear to hover around normal, if not below at times of cloud cover and precipitation. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1252 PM MDT Thu Sep 3 2026 Lingering moisture over the southern mountains will lead to isolated to widely scattered showers and storms this afternoon with gusty outflow winds. Drier conditions are expected elsewhere with afternoon gusts in the 25 to 30 mph possible at several TAF sites. Otherwise VFR prevails over the next 24 hours. && .GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CO...None. UT...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...BS AVIATION...TGJT
- Additional Information:
A search of the operator records shows they were involved in three previous events, a landing mishap in 2017, an engine failure/forced landing event in 2018, and a fatal accident in Utah in 2018.
In 2022, The FAA Safety Team produced a safety enhancement topic on Mountain Flying. The briefing included:
Mountain terrain can be hazardous for GA pilots. Here are some of the ways pilots get into trouble in the mountains.
Poor Planning. Before descending into a mountain airport, look at what your options are for go-arounds and takeoff routes.
Box Canyon. Never fly up a canyon that you have not already flown down so that you know if there is room to turn around. NEVER try to out climb the terrain in ANY airplane.
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According to NTSB Safety Alert: Mastering Mountain Flying (SA-039)
The Problem
Pilots with limited or no training in mountain flying can be surprised about their aircraft's different performance at high density altitude, often leading to serious or fatal accidents. Wind and other weather phenomena interacting with mountainous terrain often lead unsuspecting pilots into situations that are beyond their capabilities.
Should a crash occur, a pilot who survives the crash but does not have emergency or survival gear immediately accessible may not survive the harsh environment until rescuers are able to reach the location.
What can you do?
Through training, pilots can develop skills and techniques that will allow them to safely fly in mountainous terrain. When planning flights in mountainous terrain, pilots and flight instructors should do the following to enhance safety:
• Flight instructors should encourage their students to attend a quality mountain flying course before attempting flight in mountainous terrain or at high density altitudes.
• Pilots should consult with local flight instructors before planning a flight into mountainous terrain. Even experienced mountain pilots may not be familiar with local conditions and procedures for safe operations.
• Pilots should be aware that weather interacting with mountainous terrain can cause dangerous wind, severe turbulence, and other conditions that may be unsafe for aircraft, especially light GA aircraft
• Pilots should consider specialized emergency and survival equipment (such as personal locator beacons in addition to a 406 emergency locator transmitter) before flying in mountainous terrain, and develop a plan for immediate access to the equipment in the event of a postaccident fire.
• FBO staff should be alert for customers who appear to be planning flight into mountainous terrain who could benefit from mountain flying instruction.