# NTSB CEN15LA366: Cessna 206, N5033U, Pecos, TX, August 2, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 2015, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Pecos, TX - Coordinates: 31.382499, -103.510833 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3825&lon=-103.5108&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - Lubbock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91815 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA366 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91815/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91815 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA366 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 206, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2073302), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 206, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073302), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 206, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2073302), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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 exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 206, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2073302), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 206, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073302), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was participating in a cantaloupe bombing run being conducted in conjunction with a local fly-in. The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and then proceeded to take off. He added that, after turning onto the base leg of the traffic pattern, the engine lost power and that he subsequently landed the airplane short of the airport in mesquite trees. Examination of the airplane revealed that the tanks contained no fuel, and no fuel could be drained from either wing or the fuselage sump drains. The fuel tanks and lines were not compromised. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the pilot did not ensure that adequate fuel was onboard the airplane during the preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 2015, about 1000 central daylight time, a Cessna 206 airplane, N5033U, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Pecos, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained damage to the fuselage, horizontal tail, nose landing gear, propeller and left wing. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Pecos Municipal Airport (PEQ), Pecos, Texas, about 0950. The pilot reported that he performed a pre-flight inspection of the airplane and proceeded to take off for a cantaloupe bombing run being conducted in conjunction with a fly-in at PEQ. He said that after turning on the left base leg of the traffic pattern, the engine lost power and his only alternative was to land short of the airport in small mesquite trees. An Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane and determined that the fuel tanks were empty. He attempted to obtain fuel from the wing and fuselage sumps and no fuel could be drained. He noted that the fuel lines and fuel tanks were not compromised. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5033U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5033U-2018-03-14), registration cancelled 2018-03-14, S/N 206-0033, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 206 (G) - Registry model: [Cessna 206](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-206) (registry code 2073302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 206-0033 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 9400 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2014 - Departed: PEQ, Pecos, TX - Destination: PEQ, Pecos, TX - Airport: PEQ, Pecos Muni - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,100 total, 675 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PEQ ## 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 20150802017619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150802017619A), Aug 2, 2015: Cessna 206, Pecos, TX, Substantial damage. On August 02, 2015, at approximately 1000 CDT, N5033U, a Cessna 206, impacted the terrain at Pecos Municipal Airport (kpeq) located in Pecos, Texas. Pilot was… ## Other investigations on N5033U (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA72DYC06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72DYC06), Jul 16, 1971: Cessna 206 (N5033U), Orchards, WA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 8, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91815. 555 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 502 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442966&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-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.