- Date
- August 15, 2013, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place
- Sleetmute, AK
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N2141FCessna U206
- Defining event
- Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fuel starvation
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 2, 2013
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20130815017889A
- Case key
- 87798
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The NTSB’s determination of the probable cause, and any contributing factors.
The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings.
Analysis
The pilot reported that during a postmaintenance flight, while remaining in the airport traffic pattern, the engine lost all power. The pilot selected an area of tree-covered terrain as a forced landing site, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. He stated that the reason for the loss of engine power was due to fuel starvation, and that he did not verify the position of the fuel selector valve before the flight. He added that when the airplane recently underwent maintenance, the fuel selector valve handle was positioned to the right fuel tank, which had a slight amount of fuel remaining. The pilot said that he routinely used the left fuel tank, which contained sufficient fuel for the flight. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that during a postmaintenance flight, while remaining in the airport traffic pattern, the engine lost all power. The pilot selected an area of tree-covered terrain as a forced landing site, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. He stated that the reason for the loss of engine power was due to fuel starvation, and that he did not verify the position of the fuel selector valve before the flight. He added that when the airplane recently underwent maintenance, the fuel selector valve handle was positioned to the right fuel tank, which had a slight amount of fuel remaining. The pilot said that he routinely used the left fuel tank, which contained sufficient fuel for the flight. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2141F
- Reported as
- Cessna U206
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- U206-0341
- Airframe hours
- 8,737
- Engine
- Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES, 285 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Hill Henry M
- Registered owner
- Hill Henry M
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 22, 2013 · 70 hours before
- Departed
- PASL · Sleetmute, AK
- Destination
- PASL · Sleetmute, AK
- Airport
- PASL · Sleetmute Airport
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 64
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- January 4, 2013
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 6,413 total · 5,893 in this make and model · 6,387 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.85 inHg
Docket · 2
The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 20, 2013, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 506 KB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N2141F · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.