Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
N828EW
Cessna 206G
The pilot stated he was 15 miles north of the destination airport when he was cleared for a left downwind landing. He said he switched from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank, and noted the right fuel tank was indicating 20 gallons. When he selected flaps, they would not work. On short final, he attempted to apply power, and noticed the engine was not producing power. He switched to the right fuel tank, with no response from the engine. He elected to land in a field, and made a hard landing in the grass, where the airplane nosed over. Postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that the left fuel tank had ample fuel, but the right fuel tank was empty. The inspector stated that the accident airplane was out of annual inspection, and the pilot's biennial flight review was past due.
The pilot stated he departed from Gainesville, Florida and proceeded to fly direct to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at approximately 2,500 feet mean sea level, with clear weather. He was 15 miles north of the airport when he was cleared for a left downwind landing on runway 8. At this time, he switched from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank. The right fuel tank was still indicating 20 gallons. When he selected flaps, during the approach, they would not work. On short final, he attempted to apply power and noticed the engine was not producing power. He switched back to the right fuel tank with no response from the engine. He elected to land the airplane in a field, making a hard landing in the grass. The airplane's nose gear and belly cargo pod separated before the airplane flipped over and came to a stop. Post accident examination of the airplane by FAA revealed that the left fuel tank had a large quantity of fuel. The right fuel tank had no fuel. The responding FAA inspector stated that the accident airplane did not have an Import Inspection, or a U.S Airworthy Certificate, and was out annual inspection. The airplane's records showed it was ferried to Miami, FL. on November 11, 2004 from Jamaica. The pilot's biennial flight review was past due.
The pilot's improper fuel management during the landing approach, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and a forced off-airport landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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