# NTSB LAX08LA269: Cessna TU206F, N62DB, Glendale, AZ, August 19, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 2008, 10:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Glendale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.526943, -112.29528 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5269&lon=-112.2953&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68742 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA269 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68742/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA269 ## Probable cause A loose fuel line fitting that resulted in a partial loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance installation of the fitting. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna TU206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2073353), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna TU206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2073353), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057310): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TU206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057310/cases.md?model=2073353), [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057310/cases.md) - [Misc hardware: fasteners](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071430): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TU206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071430/cases.md?model=2073353), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071430/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TU206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=2073353), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Cessna TU206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=2073353), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Cessna TU206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2073353), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna TU206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2073353), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna TU206F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073353), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine began to run rough shortly after takeoff. Unable to return to the airport, he initiated a forced landing in a short field. The airplane collided with a fence during the landing roll. During a post crash examination, a loose fuel line fitting was discovered that was connected to the fuel flow transducer inlet. It was also noted that there were blue stains on the crankcase immediately below the fitting. After tightening the fitting, the engine started and ran smoothly at 1,800 revolutions per minute (rpm) with a smooth rpm drop for each magneto. The fitting was then manually loosened again with the engine running at 1,800 rpm, the fuel pressure fell below the bottom of the green arc, and the engine began to run rough. The fitting was again tightened, and smooth engine operation resumed. The last maintenance recorded that would have involved removal of this fitting was during an engine replacement on July 7, 2007, which was 127 hours prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 2008, about 1020 mountain standard time, a Cessna TU206F, N62DB, collided with a fence during a forced landing near Glendale, Arizona. Airwest Helicopters LLC was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. The certificated airline transport pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The cross-country business flight departed Glendale about 1012, with a planned destination of Grand Canyon Valle Airport, Williams, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that the departure was uneventful until he leveled the airplane at 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl). He noticed that all of the exhaust gas temperature readings were much higher than normal. He adjusted the manifold pressure to 27 inches of mercury, and reduced the revolutions per minute (rpm) to 2,500. The engine began to run rough, so the pilot turned back toward the airport. He tried to get the engine to run more smoothly, but was unsuccessful. The airplane could not maintain altitude, and could not make it back to the airport. He elected to land in a short, open field. After colliding with the fence and coming to a stop, the pilot evacuated his passengers and himself without injuries. Investigators examined the engine. They removed the top spark plugs. All spark plugs were clean with no mechanical deformation. The spark plug electrodes were circular and gray, which corresponded to normal operation according to the Champion Aviation Check-A-Plug AV-27 Chart. A borescope inspection of the cylinders revealed no mechanical deformation on the valves, cylinder walls, or internal cylinder head. Recovery personnel strapped the airframe to supports and the floor. They plumbed a fuel can into the left wing fuel supply. When they opened the fuel valve allowing gravity flow, fuel leaked from the fuel line fitting that was connected to the fuel flow transducer inlet. There were blue stains on the crankcase immediately below the fitting. The fitting took about 180 degrees of turn to close finger tight, and stop the leak. Investigators tightened the fitting. Investigators started the engine with no difficulties encountered. Investigators left the engine at a low rpm setting until the engine oil temperature was indicating within the green operating arc. They advanced the throttle, and increased the rpm to 1,800, and the engine ran smoothly. The fuel flow was about 14 gallons per hour (gph). A magneto check revealed a smooth rpm drop on each magneto. An investigator manually loosened the fitting with the engine running at 1,800 rpm. The fuel pressure decreased to 6 gpm, which was below the bottom of the green operating arc; the engine began to run rough. The investigator tightened the fitting, and smooth engine operation resumed. The last maintenance recorded that would have involved removal of this fitting was during anengine replacement on July 7, 2007, which was 127 hours prior to the accident. Maintenance personnel completed an annual inspection on May 21, 2008. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62DB-2009-08-03), registration cancelled 2009-08-03, S/N U20603278, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA TU206F - Registry model: [Cessna TU206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206f) (registry code 2073353) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U206 03278 - Airframe hours: 6301 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors TSIO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Airwest Helicopters LLC - Registered owner: 5688c LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 2008 - Departed: GEU, Glendale, AZ - Destination: 40G, Valle, AZ - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 18, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 13,000 total, 425 in this make and model, 12,800 as pilot in command, 166 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: GEU, 2 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 20080819843879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080819843879A), Aug 19, 2008: Cessna TU206F, Peoria, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Glendale, AZ: N62DB, C206, after takeoff from glendale airport encountered a rough running engine and attempted to return to the airport. The pilot… 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.