Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to assure an adequate amount of fuel was on board for the flight.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While descending to his destination, a loss of engine power occurred and the pilot made a forced landing on a dirt road. The road turned sharply, and during the landing roll the aircraft continued ahead off the road. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures, and that he had departed with sufficient fuel for the flight plus reserves. However, the pilot was en route to have maintenance performed on the fuel system, and had departed with minimum fuel onboard so as to arrive at the destination with very little fuel in the tanks. The aircraft's fuel supply was exhausted.
Source record
Factual narrative
On November 29, 1995, at 1320 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna TU206G, N6236X, veered off a dirt road during an off-airport forced landing 15 miles southeast of Eagar, Arizona. The aircraft was substantially damaged; however, the private pilot was uninjured. The aircraft had departed from Sierra Vista, Arizona, at 1210 hours for a personal flight to Springerville, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. In his report to the NTSB, the pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft, and that he had departed with fuel "sufficient for the flight plus reserves". The engine lost power during descent for landing and the pilot executed the forced landing on the dirt road. During the landing roll, however, the road turned sharply and the aircraft continued ahead off the road. The pilot admitted to an insurance adjuster that he had exhausted the aircraft's fuel supply. The pilot wanted to arrive at the destination with low fuel in one tank to facilitate maintenance. When the engine quit during landing descent, the pilot switched to the low fuel tank and the engine re-started, however, it stopped again a short time later. -