# NTSB BFO92FA093: Cessna U206F, Portland, ME, July 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1992, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Portland, ME
- Coordinates: 43.65816, -70.259815 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6582&lon=-70.2598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 7, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA093

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT,  RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION DUE TO IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: AN UNDETERMINED ELECTRICAL FAILURE, AND LOSS OF FUEL QUANTITY INDICATION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - electrical system - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - not attained, pilot in command
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS EN ROUTE WHEN HE NOTED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND THAT THE FUEL GAGE WAS DE-ENERGIZED. HE CONTINUED THE FLIGHT, BUT DURING AN ILS RUNWAY 29 APPROACH AT THE DESTINATION, A TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER OCCURRED.  THE PILOT DECIDED TO DESCEND BELOW THE CLOUDS INTO VMC, WHICH HE ENCOUNTERED AT ABOUT 400 FEET MSL OVER CASCO BAY.  HE STATED THAT HE WAS READING A CHART TO LOCATE THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN THE BAY, ESCAPED FROM THE AIRPLANE, AND WAS RESCUED BY COAST GUARD, BUT THE PASSENGER DID NOT ESCAPE FROM THE AIRPLANE. DURING AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE, ABOUT 15 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE LEFT TANK AND ABOUT ONE HALF GALLON WAS DRAINED FROM THE RIGHT TANK.  THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT TANK.  THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER WAS NOT VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGTCM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U206-01825
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Daniel Gilbert
- Registered owner: Daniel Gilbert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: SW3, ST GEORGES,CD, OF
- Destination: PWM, PORTLAND, ME
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PWM, Portland International, runway 29

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 430 total, 35 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWM, 2 nm away

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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