# NTSB DFW07CA142: Cessna 206, N4803U, Baton Rouge, LA, June 20, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 20, 2007, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Baton Rouge, LA - Coordinates: 30.533056, -91.149719 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5331&lon=-91.1497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Baton Rouge, Louisiana - NTSB case key (mKey): 66024 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66024/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA142 ## Probable cause Fuel starvation as result of the pilot's failure to properly position the fuel selector. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Analysis The airplane lost engine lost power while on final approach after the pilot selected an empty fuel cell during the landing check. The pilot reported that he completed the landing checklist and was cleared to land on Runway 31. While approximately 5 miles out on final approach, the pilot was instructed by approach control to fly a heading of 280-degrees for a right base for Runway 04R. The pilot reported that as he performed his GUMPS check (gas, undercarriage, mixture, propeller, and switches), he moved the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank. The pilot added that at this point, the engine started losing power. The pilot then moved the fuel selector back to the left side to no avail. The pilot declared an emergency and informed the control tower that he would be landing at a nearby football field. About 500 feet short of the intended landing site, the airplane's right wing clipped a tree. The airplane then came to rest in a residential area, with the right wing on top of a house and the left wing on an automobile approximately 2 nautical miles short of the destination airport. The wings and fuselage sustained structural damage. The engine and propeller were also damaged. The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, found that the airplane's fuel selector was not in the left indent position. Five gallons of fuel was drained out of the left fuel tank. ## Factual narrative The engine lost power while on final approach after the 1,353-hour commercial pilot selected an empty fuel cell during the landing check. The pilot reported that he completed the landing checklist and was cleared to land on Runway 31. While approximately 5 miles out on final approach, the pilot was instructed by approach control to fly magnetic heading of 280-degrees for a right base for Runway 04R. The pilot reported that as he performed his GUMPS check (gas, undercarriage, mixture, propeller, and switches), he moved the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank. The pilot added that at this point, the engine started losing power. The pilot then moved the fuel selector back to the left side to no avail. The pilot declared an emergency and informed the control tower that he would be landing at a nearby football field. About 500 feet short of the intended landing site, the airplane's right wing clipped a tree. The airplane then came to rest in a residential area, with the right wing on top of a house and the left wing on an automobile approximately 2 nautical miles short of the destination airport. The wings and fuselage sustained structural damage. The engine and propeller were also damaged. The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, found that the airplane's fuel selector was not in the left indent position. Five gallons of fuel was drained out of the left fuel tank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - fluid,fuel - starvation - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - residential area - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4803U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4803U-2008-04-10), registration cancelled 2008-04-10, S/N U20605109 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 206 - Registry model: [Cessna TU206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206g) (registry code 2073357) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U20605109 - Airframe hours: 12695 - Engines: Teledyne Continental TSIO-520 M10B reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gulf Coast Aerial Mapping - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2007 - Departed: BTR, Baton Rouge, LA - Destination: BTR, Baton Rouge, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,353 total, 506 in this make and model, 132 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg ## 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 20070620010429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070620010429A), Jun 20, 2007: Cessna TU206G, Baton Rouge, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated the engine quit while on right base for runway 4 right at Baton Rouge metro airport. The aircraft crashed into a residential area, no… ## Other investigations on N4803U (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 FTW00LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA033), Nov 17, 1999: Cessna TU206G (N4803U), Lafayette, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The partial blockage of oil within the engine's oil galley resulting in a total power loss. Contributing factors were the failure of the #1 connecting rod, the failure of the pilot to achieve the… 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.