What happened
On March 12, 2025, at approximately 14:50 EDT, a Cessna TU206G, registration N27GP, was conducting an aerial observation flight near Wedgefield, Florida. After departing Orlando Executive Airport (ORL), the pilot was flying southeast at approximately 1,800 feet AGL for about 10 minutes when the engine suddenly lost all power.
The pilot reported that there were no prior indications of engine trouble. In an attempt to restore power, the pilot switched fuel tanks and checked the magneto switch position, but the engine failed to restart. The pilot performed a forced landing in a nearby field. During the landing, the left wing struck trees, causing the aircraft to stop abruptly. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage, and caused a fuel leak into the cabin. The pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were not injured and were able to exit the aircraft through the aft door.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and recovered a J. P. Instruments EDM-830 device and a Sentry Plus FFSEN3. Data from the EDM-830 revealed that while the engine was operating normally at 2,488 rpm, a significant spike in fuel flow occurred at 14:47:47. The fuel flow climbed to 38.7 gph, which was significantly higher than the 16.1 gph expected at that altitude and power setting according to the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH). Following this spike, the engine RPM dropped steadily until the engine reached 0 rpm approximately 20 seconds later.
Post-accident examination of the engine and aircraft found no mechanical failures that would have prevented normal operation. An engine test run showed no anomalies, though a bent propeller blade was noted. The fuel system, including the fuel tank strainers and vents, was found to be unobstructed and free of water.
Investigators also noted that the master switch and auxiliary fuel pump switches were in the Off position at the time of discovery, but the POH contains a specific warning that using the auxiliary fuel pump in the On position without leaning the mixture produces an excessively rich fuel-to-air ratio. Additionally, the operator could not provide training documentation specifically for the aircraft type or systems for the pilot involved.