Cessna U206G N910TA

Summary

On 17 July 2011 at about 20:25 local time, a Cessna U206G registered N910TA, operated by Penobscot Island Air, was involved in an accident near Matinicus Island, Maine, United States. 4 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 July 2011 at 20:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Matinicus Island, Maine, United States

Coordinates

44.6947, -69.3821

Aircraft

Cessna U206G

Registration

N910TA

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Penobscot Island Air

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Matinicus Island → Rockland

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11LA405

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After takeoff from the island airport for the air taxi flight, the pilot made the initial power reduction when the airplane was at an estimated 200 feet above the ocean. At that time, the engine lost total power, and the pilot ditched the airplane. The pilot and the three passengers were able to exit the airplane before it sank. For about 1 hour until rescuers reached them, they held onto a section of the airplane’s belly cargo pod that had separated during the water impact. At the time of the wreckage recovery, the left and right fuel tank filler caps were found securely installed. The fuel selector was found in the right fuel tank position. About 25 gallons of sea water and 1 pint of aviation fuel were drained from the right fuel tank. About 27 gallons of aviation fuel and 2 gallons of sea water were drained from the left tank. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any discrepancies that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane. The physical evidence indicates that the engine lost power as a result of fuel starvation due to the position of the fuel selector on the empty right tank. The operator required the pilot to provide the passengers a safety briefing before takeoff. However, none of the passengers were briefed or were aware that life vests were onboard the airplane. If a piece of wreckage had not been available for the passengers to hold on to, the failure of the pilot to notify the passengers of the availability of life vests could have increased the severity of the accident. As a result of the accident, the operator made numerous safety changes including mandating that the pilot read out loud a pre-takeoff briefing referencing the onboard passenger briefing guide card and offering all passengers a personal flotation device to wear during flights.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.