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NTSB Report

June 1, 2013 · Cessna TP206B · N3350J

Sturgeon Bay, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 1, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sturgeon Bay, WI
Aircraft
Cessna TP206B (1966)
Tail Number
N3350J
Operator
Skydive Door County
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13LA330

The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during a skydiving flight. After the pilot switched the fuel tank selector from the left fuel tank to the right fuel tank position, the engine restarted. The pilot continued the flight. While returning to the departure airport and preparing for landing, the pilot switched the fuel tank selector back to the left fuel tank position because the fuel gauge indicated a greater fuel quantity. About 1 minute later, the engine quit. The pilot landed the airplane left of the intended runway, about 200 feet from its end, and the airplane flipped over and pivoted on its nose. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left fuel tank vent system was obstructed with an unknown substance. It is likely that the obstruction prevented fuel flow to the engine and resulted in a total loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s improper reselection of the left fuel tank, which had an obstructed vent system and resulted in a total loss of engine power during the approach for landing.

Full Narrative

On June 1, 2013, about 1125 central daylight time, a Cessna TP206B, N3350J, nosed-over and impacted terrain during a forced landing that was short of runway 20 at Door County Cherryland Airport (SUE), Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot was uninjured. The airplane was registered to Out of the Blue Skydiving LLC and operated by Skydive Door County under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a skydiving flight that was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated from SUE about 1100. The pilot stated that he departed for about a 25-minute flight to drop parachute jumpers above SUE. In-flight fuel management was through the use of the airplane fuel selector that drew fuel from either the right or the left fuel tank. He said that he was instructed during his airplane checkout that the fuel tanks cross feed like other high-wing Cessna airplanes that he was familiar with, and he did not recall anything that was contrary to that within the pilot operating handbook. There was about 22 gallons of fuel on board, which would have been enough for the flight. He said that he was advised that the entire flight could be flown from the right fuel tank only due to continuous banking. The pilot stated that he took off and climbed using the left fuel tank, which had 5 more gallons of fuel than the right fuel tank. About 6,500 feet mean sea level, the engine stopped. While turning back toward SUE, he switched fuel tanks because the right fuel tank indicated a greater fuel quantity. The engine restarted about 20-30 seconds after he switched to the right fuel tank, and the engine continued to operate during the return and climb over the drop zone. After dropping the jumpers, he slowly reduced engine power and spiraled down for landing. He performed a final [gas, undercarriage, mixture, and propeller] check for landing and selected the left fuel tank, which indicated a greater fuel quantity. The engine ran for about 60 seconds after the left fuel tank was selected and then it quit while the airplane was on a base leg about 1-1.5 miles from runway 20 (4,600 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). The pilot stated that he read the POH [Pilot Operating Handbook], and he did not recall anything about the fuel system being cross-fed. He stated the he may not have read it as detailed, because he was told the fuel system was cross-fed. The 1967 Cessna Super Skylane Owner's Manual, Fuel System, states, in part: "Fuel from each wing tank flows through a fuel reservoir tank to the fuel selector valve. Depending upon the setting of the selector valve, fuel from the left or right tank flows through a fuel strainer and by-pass in the electric auxiliary fuel pump (when it is not operating) to the engine-driven fuel pump. From here fuel is distributed to the engine cylinders to the engine cylinders via a fuel control unit and manifold. "NOTE Fuel cannot be used from both fuel tanks simultaneously." "Vapor and excess fuel from the engine-driven fuel pump and fuel control unit are returned by way of the selector valve to the reservoir tank of the wing tank system being used." Figure 2-2 provides a fuel system schematic. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Milwaukee Flight Standards District Office revealed that the right fuel tank vent system was unobstructed. The left fuel tank vent system was obstructed with an unknown substance.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:25 CDT
Nearest AirportDoor County Cherryland Airport (0nm NNE)
Runway20
Runway Length4599 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna TP206B
Tail NumberN3350J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSkydive Door County
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520 · Reciprocating · 285
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 13 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.65 inHg
Observation Time16:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data