Casualties unknown

2003-06-22: Cessna T337D (N86182) — Driggs, ID

Driggs, ID, US

On June 22, 2003, a Cessna T337D (registration N86182) was involved in an aviation accident near Driggs, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The sequential failure of both engines was caused by fuel exhaustion following the pilot's decision to proceed to the destination without refueling. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot experienced sequential engine failures on both engines due to fuel starvation while approaching his destination, resulting in a forced landing in a field.

What happened

During a flight where the pilot had estimated two hours of fuel remaining at takeoff, the aircraft was traveling at 190 knots at 13,500 feet MSL. Approximately 59 minutes from the destination, the pilot elected to proceed directly to the airport without refueling. As the aircraft reached 60 nautical miles northwest of the destination, the pilot noted that the right main fuel gauge for the rear engine was reading lower than usual.

After switching to the right auxiliary tank, the rear engine began to cough. The pilot switched back to the right main tank, but approximately 20 nautical miles from the destination, the front engine failed due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot attempted to crossfeed the front engine to the right main tank, but was unable to maintain operation and feathered the front propeller.

Shortly after, as the pilot prepared to contact the airport Unicom frequency, the rear engine also failed due to lack of fuel. The pilot feathered the rear propeller, retracted the flaps, and reduced airspeed to search for a landing site. Although the passenger attempted to manually extend the landing gear, the pilot decided on a wheels-up landing in a field.

The aircraft touched down hard and fast, spinning 90 degrees to the left and sliding sideways before coming to an upright stop. There was no post-impact fire, and both the pilot and passenger were not injured.

Probable cause

The sequential failure of both engines was caused by fuel exhaustion following the pilot's decision to proceed to the destination without refueling.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030701X00978. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.