20030305002679A

(.19) On March 5, 2003, approximately 1150 pacific standard time, a Cessna 208B, N9793B, sustained substantial damage during a collision with trees/terrain during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power approximately one mile south of Creswell, Oregon. The airplane was owned and operated by wright stuff inc, eugene, Oregon, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight in accordance with 14 CFR part 91. The commercial pilot and his three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed. The flight originated from Creswell at 1148, and was destined for cottage grove, Oregon. It was reported that shortly after takeoff at an altitude of 1,000 feet AGL a total loss of engine power occurred, necessitating a forced landing. The airplane touched down uneventfully in an open pasture, but subsequently impacted trees at the end of a field resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. According to an FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, the pilot reported that prior to takeoff he drained the main lower sump, but not the wing sumps, as was company policy. The pilot stated thathe was told by the mechanic that "constant use of the wing sumps causes them to leak, and also causes damage to the fuel cells that is hard to repair." The pilot also reported that the airplane had been fueled a few days prior to the flight from a 55 gallon barrel by an electric pump at the company's fueling facility in Creswell. The inspector traveled to the fueling facility and checked the pump glass fuel filter cover, observing it to be half full of what appeared to be water. Two 55 gallon barrels were sitting outside in the rain. The FAA inspector said that after turning on the master switch he observed 350 lbs of fuel in the left tank and 150 lbs of fuel in the right tank, according to the cockpit fuel gauges. The inspector then took fuel samples from the sumps: a pint of cloudy, watery substance was drained from the left wing sump, a mixture of cloudy and clear fuel was drained from the engine fuel sump, and clear jet fuel from the right wing sump. It was noted that the red bypass indicator was extended on the fuel filter and that the fuel selector was selected to the both position. The inspector also reported that there was substantial damage to both wing leading edges, and damage to the horizontal stabilizer, nose landing gear, and engine cowling.(-23) after takeoff, the engine lost power and a landing was made in a field. The aircraft slid across the field and through some nut trees causing substantial damage. Iic found 350# of fuel in the left tank and 150# of fuel in the right tank. The fuel selector was selected to both. Subsequent fuel samples found the left fuel tank had clear fuel and the right fuel tank had cloudy watery fuel. The pilot had only sumped the main lower sump.