Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 206 near Pecos, TX — 2015-08-02

Final reportCEN15LA366
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Date
2015-08-02
Location
Pecos, TX, USA
Airport
PEQ
Aircraft
CESSNA 206
Registration
N5033U
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was participating in a cantaloupe bombing run being conducted in conjunction with a local fly-in. The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and then proceeded to take off. He added that, after turning onto the base leg of the traffic pattern, the engine lost power and that he subsequently landed the airplane short of the airport in mesquite trees. Examination of the airplane revealed that the tanks contained no fuel, and no fuel could be drained from either wing or the fuselage sump drains. The fuel tanks and lines were not compromised. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the pilot did not ensure that adequate fuel was onboard the airplane during the preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured adequate fuel before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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