# NTSB FTW89LA052: Cessna 206, N5175U, Austin, TX, February 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1989, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Austin, TX
- Location: 30.2672° N, 97.7431° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Austin, TX, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2672&lon=-97.7431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22836
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22836/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA052

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS AND IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING VECTORED FOR AN IFR APPROACH WHEN THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS EXECUTED TO A FIELD WITH TREES. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SEVERAL TREES AND TERRAIN, THEN NOSED OVER. APPROXIMATELY ONE TO TWO GALLONS OF USABLE FUEL WERE REMAINING IN THE SELECTED TANK, APPROXIMATELY 8 GALLONS OF USABLE FUEL REMAINED IN THE OTHER TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5175U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5175U-1990-08-14), registration cancelled 1990-08-14, S/N 2060175 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 206
- Registry model: [Cessna 206](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-206) (registry code 2073302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2060175
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John C. & Arvonne Degenfelder
- Departed: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Destination: AUS, AUSTIN, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,674 total, 31 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 6 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 19890218002249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890218002249A), Feb 18, 1989: Cessna 206CESSNA, Austin, TX, Substantial damage. Indicates engine quit due to low usable fuel in left tank. Struck trees and ground. Nose gear folded. Nosed over.

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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