# NTSB WPR11LA168: Cessna TU206G, N6169Z, Puyallup, WA, March 19, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 19, 2011, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Puyallup, WA - Coordinates: 47.103889, -122.286941 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1039&lon=-122.2869&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Civil Air Patrol, FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78588 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78588/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78588 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA168 ## Probable cause The pilots’ activation of the fuel boost pump while preparing to land, which was contrary to checklist procedures and resulted in a loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel pumps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unnecessary use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna TU206G, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073357), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern during an instructional flight, and the pilots performed the prelanding checklist, switched the fuel selector to the right tank position, and activated the fuel boost pump. According to the flight instructor, the airplane “began sinking” while on final approach for the runway. When the pilots tried to add engine power, the engine did not respond, and the airplane collided with terrain short of the runway. The manufacturer’s approved checklist for the airplane indicates that the auxiliary fuel boost pump should be in the off position before landing. A representative from the engine manufacturer reported that operating the auxiliary fuel boost pump at a low engine power setting would “flood” the engine and result in a loss of engine power. It is likely that when the pilots applied power, the engine was flooded, which resulted in the total loss of engine power. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded engine operations. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 2011, about 1115 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna TU 206G, N6169Z, sustained substantial damage to the forward portion of the fuselage and empennage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while in the airport traffic pattern at the Pierce County Airport - Thun Field (PLU), Puyallup, Washington. The certified flight instructor and commercial pilot receiving instruction sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to the Civil Air Patrol and operated as a local instructional flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visual flight rules flight plan had been activated for the local flight that departed from Puyallup. A representative from the operator reported that the pilots performed the pre-landing checklist, and switched the fuel selector to the right tank position and activated the auxiliary fuel boost pump while on the left midfield downwind for landing on runway 34. Shortly thereafter, while turning from base leg to final, at 900 feet mean sea level (msl), the airplane began to sink and full engine throttle was applied. The engine subsequently did not power up, and the airplane collided with up-sloping terrain approximately 400 feet short of the approach end of the runway. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The airplane was equipped with a Continental TSIO-520-CCM engine. The engine is turbocharged, fuel injected and equipped with a constant speed propeller. The airplane’s fuel system incorporates a 2-stage electric auxiliary fuel boost pump. The fuel pump is placarded “emergency” and “start” and is utilized for engine starts and engine related emergencies. The manufacturer’s approved checklist for the airplane denotes, in part, the following: DESCENT 1. Power – AS DESIRED 2. Auxiliary Fuel Pump Switch - OFF BEFORE LANDING 1. Fuel Selector valve – FULLER TANK 2. Auxiliary Fuel Pump Switch - OFF A representative from the engine manufacturer reported that operating the auxiliary fuel boost pump at a low engine power setting would “flood” the engine and result in a loss of engine power. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded engine operations. An engine examination report is contained in the public docket for this case file. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6169Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6169Z-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N U20606172, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA TU206G - Registry model: [Cessna TU206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206g) (registry code 2073357) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U20606172 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Civil Air Patrol - Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 30, 2010, 4,308 hours before - Departed: PLU, Puyallup, WA - Destination: PLU, Puyallup, WA - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: PLU, Pierce County Airport - Thun, runway 34, 3,650 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 2, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 458 total, 4 in this make and model, 102 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 52; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 17, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 1,800 total, 55 in this make and model, 1,740 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °F - Observed at: PLU ## 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 20110319005369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110319005369A), Mar 19, 2011: Cessna TU206G, Puyallup, WA, Substantial damage. On the 10th landing, while in the left downwind to runway 34 crew preformed pre-landing checklist and swithched the fuel tank lever to the right tank while… ## Other investigations on N6169Z (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 DEN83LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA003), Oct 7, 1982: Cessna TU206G (N6169Z), Rock Springs, WY, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78588. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 646 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368834&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statements (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368836&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Engine Examination Report (item 3, .PDF, 296 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368837&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20Report-Master.PDF - Excerpt from Cessna Information Manual - Checklist (item 4, .PDF, 302 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368840&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Cessna%20Information%20Manual%20-%20Checklist-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 5, .PDF, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368842&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Retention / Release of Wreckage Form (item 6, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368843&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Retention%20%2F%20Release%20of%20Wreckage%20Form-Redacted.PDF 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.