This March 2008 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna 206. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Peyton, Colo. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot did not check the fuel prior to takeoff. The engine lost power during the climb-out and the pilot performed a forced landing in a field. During the landing the airplane flipped over. In a telephone interview with the FAA inspector and the NTSB investigator, the pilot stated that, “he didn’t check his fuel prior to departure and that he ran out of gas.”
Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.
For more information: NTSB.gov
