On March 1, 1982, a Cessna U206 (registration N5131U) operated by F. A. Hilderbrand Jr. was involved in an aviation accident near Noack, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to manage fuel quantity effectively, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and an ensuing forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot conducting an aerial survey flight experienced fuel exhaustion after the right tank ran dry. The subsequent forced landing resulted in nose gear collapse due to uneven terrain.
What happened
The pilot was operating a one-hour aerial survey mission bound for Giddings, Texas, with plans to return to the departure point. During the flight, the right fuel tank became empty. The pilot then switched the fuel selector to the left tank, which the gauge indicated contained approximately one-quarter of its capacity remaining. Approximately twenty minutes after this switch, the engine ceased operation due to lack of fuel.
The pilot initiated a forced landing in a nearby pasture. Upon touchdown, the aircraft encountered rutted terrain, causing the nose gear to collapse under the stress.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to manage fuel quantity effectively, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and an ensuing forced landing.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 1 Mar 1982 Cessna U206 accident near Noack, TX?
A pilot conducting an aerial survey flight experienced fuel exhaustion after the right tank ran dry. The subsequent forced landing resulted in nose gear collapse due to uneven terrain.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 1 Mar 1982 involved a Cessna U206, registration N5131U, operated by F. A. Hilderbrand Jr., at Noack, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to manage fuel quantity effectively, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and an ensuing forced landing.
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