Pilot Debrief

Cessna TU206 near Auburn, CA — 2020-04-18

Final reportWPR20LA123
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Date
2020-04-18
Location
Auburn, CA, USA
Airport
AUN
Aircraft
Cessna TU206
Registration
N756TH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power after takeoff due to water contamination of the fuel.

NTSB narrative

Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of about 200 to 300 ft above the ground, the airplane’s engine lost power. The pilot-rated passenger took over the flight controls and performed an emergency landing to a field near the departure airport. During the landing, the airplane impacted terrain and a post-crash fire ensued. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed water in the fuel manifold valve cavity and corrosion type debris on the internal screen. Witness statements revealed several people associated with the pilot knew water had been accumulating in the fuel tanks due to leaky fuel tank caps, one of which was another pilot who flew the airplane twice in the weeks before the accident. The accident pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection; however, it is unknown whether he checked the fuel tanks for contamination as the pilot-rated passenger did not observe him during the preflight. Autopsy and toxicology reports revealed the pilot had severe stenosis of his aorta and three coronary arteries and that he was taking hydroxychloroquine, a medication to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Both the cardiovascular disease and medication use placed him at an increased risk for a sudden cardiac event. However, there was no evidence to suggest that occurred and based on the circumstances of this accident, the pilot’s cardiovascular condition and the effects from his use of hydroxychloroquine were not factors in the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have delayed flight until new fuel tank caps were installed.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • 11 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents11

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