# NTSB CEN22LA134: Cessna 208B, N108RF, Campbellton, TX, February 28, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 28, 2022, 12:53 local (18:53 UTC) - Place: Campbellton, TX · The airplane came to rest on the airport perimeter fence - Coordinates: 28.68538, -98.38311 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6854&lon=-98.3831&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 104719 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104719/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104719 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA134 ## Probable cause The pilot’s fuel mismanagement, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and subsequent impact with trees during a forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after about 3 hours of total flight time, he proceeded to a nearby airport for fuel. During the descent, the “left fuel low” light illuminated and, shortly thereafter, the “reservoir fuel low” light illuminated. The pilot ensured the fuel tanks, fuel pump, and igniters were on, and he diverted to a nearby private strip. Soon after, the airplane’s engine began to lose power. The pilot increased the throttle, but the engine lost total power. The airplane descended rapidly and struck several trees before touching down on an upsloping field short of the runway. The pilot reported after the accident that he last refueled the airplane the day before the accident at Ozona Municipal Airport (OZA). He then flew the airplane a little over 1 hour to the departure airport to prepare for the accident flight. When asked if the airplane ran out of fuel, the pilot replied “no, I should have had more fuel.” During an on-scene examination, the airplane’s electrical system was turned on and the “LT fuel low,” “RT fuel low,” and “reservoir fuel low” lights were all illuminated. In addition, the left and right fuel gauges indicated “empty.” Both the left and right fuel tanks were sumped, and no fuel was noted. About 2 cups of fuel were drained from the reservoir fuel tank, and a couple ounces of fuel were drained from the fuel strainer. Fuel was later added to the fuel tanks and the engine started and operated normally. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On February 28, 2022, about 1253 central standard time, a Cessna 208B airplane, N108RF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Campbellton, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The pilot reported that he started the day at San Marcos Regional Airport (HYI) and flew east toward Houston for a survey. This flight lasted about 1 hour 10 minutes. He then flew 1 hour southeast and started a second survey. After about 3 hours of total flight time, he proceeded to Pleasanton Municipal Airport (PEZ) to get fuel. During the descent, the “left fuel low” light illuminated, and shortly thereafter the “reservoir fuel low” light illuminated. The pilot ensured the fuel tanks, fuel pump, and igniters were on, and he diverted to a nearby private strip. Soon after, the airplane’s engine began to lose power. The pilot increased the throttle, but the engine lost total power. The airplane descended rapidly when it struck several trees and touched down on an upsloping field short of the runway. The wing spar in the airplane’s right wing sustained substantial damage. During a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that he last refueled the airplane the day before the accident at Ozona Municipal Airport (OZA). He then flew the airplane a little over 1 hour to HYI to prepare for the accident flight. When asked if the airplane ran out of fuel, the pilot replied “no, I should have had more fuel.” During an on-scene examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the airplane was moved to level ground. Its electrical system was turned on and the “LT fuel low,” “RT fuel low,” and “reservoir fuel low” lights illuminated. In addition, the left and right fuel gauges showed ‘empty.’ Both the left and right fuel tanks were sumped and no fuel was noted. About 2 cups of fuel were drained from the reservoir fuel tank, and a couple ounces of fuel were drained from the fuel strainer. The operator reported that once the airplane was repaired, fuel was added to both the left and right fuel tanks. The engine started and operated normally with no anomalies noted. In the Air Traffic Mandatory Occurrence Report, air traffic control (ATC) reported that the pilot declared a mayday and attempted to divert to an airport. After the airplane landed in the field, the pilot contacted ATC and reported that he “lost track of fuel and ran out.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N108RF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N108RF), registered now, S/N 208B0528, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 208B - Registry model: [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b) (registry code 2073701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-114a) (registry code 52257, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 208B0528 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 15599 - Engines: P&W Canada PT6A-114A 675 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Revolution Flight - Registered owner: Randigo LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 27, 2021, 64 hours before - Departed: HYI, Austin, TX - Destination: PEZ, Pleasanton, TX - Airport: 0XA5, 74 Ranch Airport, runway 14, 3,887 × 1,185 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 11, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 13,550 total, 9,944 in this make and model, 13,480 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: KPEZ, 17 nm away - METAR: KPEZ 281855Z AUTO 20007KT 140V220 10SM CLR 18/M07 A3035 RMK AO2 T01821067 ## 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 20220228003019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220228003019A), Feb 28, 2022: Cessna 208B, Campbellton, TX, Substantial damage. On February 28, 2022, at approximately 13:15 hours, a Cessna 208B [privacy data omitted], crashed just short of rw 14 at the 74 ranch (private) airport. VFR… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104719. 71.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 6.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13391973&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - On scene photos - courtesy of the federal aviation administration (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 768 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13376921&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=on%20scene%20photos-Rel.pdf - Record of email - FAA fuel examination (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 537 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13406690&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROE%20FAA%20FUel%20exam-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - pilot (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 261 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13561713&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20pilot%20refueling%20info%205%20redacted-Rel.pdf - Air traffic mandatory occurrence report (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13562550&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ZHU%20MOR_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of email - operator regarding engine run (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13454974&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROE%20operator%20engine%20run-Rel.pdf - Video - postaccident engine run (item 7, MOV, 64.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13454658&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=IMG_1452-Rel.MOV 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.