# NTSB CHI88LA125: Cessna TU206B, N4757F, Ellsworth, WI, June 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1988, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Ellsworth, WI
- Coordinates: 44.730461, -92.469604 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7305&lon=-92.4696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14086
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14086/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA125

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE WHICH HE BELIEVED TO BE CAUSED BY FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK CONTAINED 23 GALLONS OF FUEL AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, ALTHOUGH BOTH FUEL GUAGES READ EMPTY. AFTERWARD THE PILOT SAID THAT HE MAY HAVE LET AIR IN THE FUEL LINES WHEN HE ROCKED THE WINGS IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE FUEL GUAGES TO INDICATE SOME FUEL QUANTITY, RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION INDUCED ENGINE FAILURE. NO PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE FUEL QUANTITY WAS MADE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4757F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4757F), registered now, S/N P206-0357, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TU206B
- Registry model: [Cessna P206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p206b) (registry code 2073309) (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 0357
- Airframe hours: 1493
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lecander, Robert L.
- Registered owner: Lecander, Robert L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1987, 107 hours before
- Departed: ELMWOOD, WI
- Destination: RGK, RED WING, MN
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 402 total, 310 in this make and model, 320 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAU, 34 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 19880605017939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880605017939A), Jun 5, 1988: Cessna P206B, Ellsworth, WI, Substantial damage. Out of fuel on right tank. Left tank selected showed empty. Rocked wings to activate gauge. Ported ramaining fuel.

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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