# NTSB CEN14LA425: Cessna U206E, N2272X, Braithwaite, LA, August 13, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 2014, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Braithwaite, LA
- Coordinates: 29.84361, -89.979446 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8436&lon=-89.9794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 21, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Baton Rouge FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA425
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89866/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89866
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA425

## Probable cause

The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the subsequent forced landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2073350), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073350), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Cessna U206E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2073350), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Cessna U206E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2073350), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna U206E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073350), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna U206E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073350), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna U206E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073350), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the flight was uneventful until the engine began running roughly as he maneuvered the airplane toward the intended destination. The pilot added that he immediately identified that the right fuel tank was likely running low on fuel; however, as he changed the fuel selector positions, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. Due to the airplane's low altitude, about 500 ft above the ground, the pilot decided to make an immediate forced landing to a nearby road; however, as he approached the road, he saw an approaching vehicle, and, in response, he attempted to land before reaching the road. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with a power line that the pilot reported he never saw. The pilot stated that he had departed with 70 gallons of fuel that was evenly distributed between both wing fuel tanks. Additionally, he stated that the airplane had been drawing fuel from the right fuel tank for the entire flight, which was 2 hours 15 minutes long, and that he did not switch fuel tanks until the engine began running roughly. The pilot added that the total loss of engine power was due to his mismanagement of the fuel system, which resulted in fuel starvation.

## Factual narrative

On August 13, 2014, about 0930 central daylight time, a Cessna model U206E airplane, N2272X, was substantially damaged when it collided with power lines and terrain during a forced landing near Braithwaite, Louisiana. The airline transport pilot was not injured and his three passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Southern Seaplane Inc. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 with a company visual flight rules flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area observation flight that departed at 0715 from Southern Seaplane Airport (65LA) near Belle Chasse, Louisiana.The pilot reported that the accident flight was uneventful until the engine began running rough as he maneuvered toward the intended destination (65LA) at an altitude of 500 feet above the ground. The pilot reported that he immediately identified that the right fuel tank was likely running low on fuel; however, as he changed the fuel selector positions, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. Due to the airplane's low altitude, the pilot decided to make an immediate forced landing to a nearby road; however, as he approached the road, the pilot saw an approaching vehicle, and in response, he attempted to land before reaching the road. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with a power line that the pilot reportedly never saw. The left wing leading edge, both wing support struts, and the aft fuselage were damaged during the forced landing. The pilot reported that he had departed with 70 gallons of fuel, evenly distributed between both wing fuel tanks. Additionally, he stated that the airplane had been drawing fuel from the right fuel tank for the entire accident flight, which was 2 hours 15 minutes in duration, and that he did not switch fuel tanks until the engine began running rough. The pilot reported that the total loss of engine power was due to his mismanagement of the fuel system, which resulted in fuel starvation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2272X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2272X), registered now, S/N U206-01556, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206E
- Registry model: [Cessna U206E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206e) (registry code 2073350) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U206-01556
- Year built: 1970
- Airframe hours: 16831
- Engines: Continental IO-550-F6B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Southern Seaplane Inc.
- Registered owner: Southern Seaplane Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 2014, 52 hours before
- Departed: 65LA, Belle Chasse, LA
- Destination: 65LA, Belle Chasse, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 12, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 7,522 total, 253 in this make and model, 5,970 as pilot in command, 149 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: NBG, 3 nm away

## 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 20140813017119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140813017119A), Aug 13, 2014: Cessna U206E, Braithwaite, LA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was descending to 500 MSL as instructed by ATC to transition nas class-d airspace. Engine lost power after exhausting fuel on RH tank. Pilot was…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 8, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89866. 1.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434693&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Conversation (Reed Esponge) (item 2, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434694&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(Reed%20Esponge)-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (Lisa Cotham) (item 3, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434697&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20(Lisa%20Cotham)-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.

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