# NTSB FTW92FA035: Cessna U206G, N756DE, Pasadena, TX, December 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1991, 19:00 local (Dec 9, 1991, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Pasadena, TX
- Coordinates: 29.649757, -95.190391 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6498&lon=-95.1904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18345
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18345/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA035

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOTS' IMPROPER BOOST PUMP PROCEDURE.  FACTORS WERE PILOTS' FAILURE TO FOLLOW CHECKLIST, DARK NIGHT, AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - fuel system - starvation (cause)
  - fuel boost pump selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT ILS APPROACH THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION.  THE PILOT MADE A VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT.  A VFR MISSED APPROACH WAS MADE DUE TO FOG AT THE AIRPORT.  THE PILOT REQUESTED AN IFR CLEARANCE TO A CONTROLLED FIELD AND WAS CLEARED FOR THE ILS APPROACH RUNWAY 17R.  AT THE FINAL APPROACH FIX THE PILOT REPORTED ENGINE PROBLEMS AND THEN STATED THAT HE HAD THE ENGINE BACK.  HE SUBSEQUENTLY REPORTED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THAT HE WOULD NOT MAKE THE AIRPORT.  RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST.  THE PILOT STATED TO THE SAFETY BOARD THAT HE SELECTED THE LEFT FUEL TANK AT THE INITIAL POWER LOSS.  HE THEN ATTEMPTED TO SELECT THE BOOST PUMP, HOWEVER, HE COULD NOT VERIFY THAT THE BOOST PUMP HAD BEEN SELECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURERS CHECKLIST.  DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N756DE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N756DE-2014-11-18), registration cancelled 2014-11-18, S/N U20604001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206G
- Registry model: [Cessna U206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206g) (registry code 2073356) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20604001
- Airframe hours: 12069
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roy W. Bell
- Registered owner: Roy W. Bell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1991, 6 hours before
- Departed: DEL RIO, TX
- Airport: EFD, Ellington, runway 17, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 4,554 total, 739 in this make and model, 4,464 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EFD, 4 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 19911208055059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911208055059A), Dec 8, 1991: Cessna U206G, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on ILS approach. Unable restart. Struck trees,ran left tank dry. Used incorrect restart procedures.

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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