# NTSB CEN13LA330: Cessna TP206B, N3350J, Sturgeon Bay, WI, June 1, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 2013, 11:25 local (16:25 UTC) - Place: Sturgeon Bay, WI - Coordinates: 44.843612, -87.421669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8436&lon=-87.4217&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 24, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87136 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA330 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87136/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87136 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA330 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper reselection of the left fuel tank, which had an obstructed vent system and resulted in a total loss of engine power during the approach for landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TP206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=2073311), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TP206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2073311), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TP206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073311), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna TP206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2073311), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna TP206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2073311), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna TP206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073311), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna TP206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2073311), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Cessna TP206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2073311), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna TP206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073311), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna TP206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2073311), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna TP206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073311), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during a skydiving flight. After the pilot switched the fuel tank selector from the left fuel tank to the right fuel tank position, the engine restarted. The pilot continued the flight. While returning to the departure airport and preparing for landing, the pilot switched the fuel tank selector back to the left fuel tank position because the fuel gauge indicated a greater fuel quantity. About 1 minute later, the engine quit. The pilot landed the airplane left of the intended runway, about 200 feet from its end, and the airplane flipped over and pivoted on its nose. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left fuel tank vent system was obstructed with an unknown substance. It is likely that the obstruction prevented fuel flow to the engine and resulted in a total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 2013, about 1125 central daylight time, a Cessna TP206B, N3350J, nosed-over and impacted terrain during a forced landing that was short of runway 20 at Door County Cherryland Airport (SUE), Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot was uninjured. The airplane was registered to Out of the Blue Skydiving LLC and operated by Skydive Door County under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a skydiving flight that was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated from SUE about 1100. The pilot stated that he departed for about a 25-minute flight to drop parachute jumpers above SUE. In-flight fuel management was through the use of the airplane fuel selector that drew fuel from either the right or the left fuel tank. He said that he was instructed during his airplane checkout that the fuel tanks cross feed like other high-wing Cessna airplanes that he was familiar with, and he did not recall anything that was contrary to that within the pilot operating handbook. There was about 22 gallons of fuel on board, which would have been enough for the flight. He said that he was advised that the entire flight could be flown from the right fuel tank only due to continuous banking. The pilot stated that he took off and climbed using the left fuel tank, which had 5 more gallons of fuel than the right fuel tank. About 6,500 feet mean sea level, the engine stopped. While turning back toward SUE, he switched fuel tanks because the right fuel tank indicated a greater fuel quantity. The engine restarted about 20-30 seconds after he switched to the right fuel tank, and the engine continued to operate during the return and climb over the drop zone. After dropping the jumpers, he slowly reduced engine power and spiraled down for landing. He performed a final [gas, undercarriage, mixture, and propeller] check for landing and selected the left fuel tank, which indicated a greater fuel quantity. The engine ran for about 60 seconds after the left fuel tank was selected and then it quit while the airplane was on a base leg about 1-1.5 miles from runway 20 (4,600 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). The pilot stated that he read the POH [Pilot Operating Handbook], and he did not recall anything about the fuel system being cross-fed. He stated the he may not have read it as detailed, because he was told the fuel system was cross-fed. The 1967 Cessna Super Skylane Owner's Manual, Fuel System, states, in part: "Fuel from each wing tank flows through a fuel reservoir tank to the fuel selector valve. Depending upon the setting of the selector valve, fuel from the left or right tank flows through a fuel strainer and by-pass in the electric auxiliary fuel pump (when it is not operating) to the engine-driven fuel pump. From here fuel is distributed to the engine cylinders to the engine cylinders via a fuel control unit andmanifold. "NOTE Fuel cannot be used from both fuel tanks simultaneously." "Vapor and excess fuel from the engine-driven fuel pump and fuel control unit are returned by way of the selector valve to the reservoir tank of the wing tank system being used." Figure 2-2 provides a fuel system schematic. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Milwaukee Flight Standards District Office revealed that the right fuel tank vent system was unobstructed. The left fuel tank vent system was obstructed with an unknown substance. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3350J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3350J-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N P206-0310, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA TP206B - Registry model: [Cessna TP206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tp206b) (registry code 2073311) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P206-0310 - Year built: 1966 - Engines: Continental IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Operator: Skydive Door County - Registered owner: Out of the Blue Skydiving LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: SUE, Sturgeon Bay, WI - Destination: SUE, Sturgeon Bay, WI - Airport: SUE, Door County Cherryland Airport, runway 20, 4,599 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 4, 2013; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,570 total, 5 in this make and model, 1,773 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.65 inHg - Observed at: SUE ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20130601008829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130601008829A), Jun 1, 2013: Cessna TP206B, Sturgeon, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that on climb to 11,500 ft for jumpers, engine failed at 6500 ft on left tank. Switched to right tank where fuel was registering. He tried to… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 19, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87136. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 969 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405497&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Requests (item 2, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405561&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Requests-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405499&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Cessna Super Skylane Owner's Manual Excerpt (item 4, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405498&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cessna%20Super%20Skylane%20Owner%27s%20Manual%20Excerpt-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.