The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Randigo LLC
Location: Campbellton, Texas
Accident Number: CEN22LA134
Date and Time: February 28, 2022, 12:53 Local
Registration: N108RF
Aircraft: Cessna 208B
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel exhaustion
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation
Factual Information
On February 28, 2022, about 1253 central standard time, a Cessna 208B airplane, N108RF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Campbellton, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight.
The pilot reported that he started the day at San Marcos Regional Airport (HYI) and flew east toward Houston for a survey. This flight lasted about 1 hour 10 minutes. He then flew 1 hour southeast and started a second survey. After about 3 hours of total flight time, he proceeded to Pleasanton Municipal Airport (PEZ) to get fuel. During the descent, the “left fuel low” light illuminated, and shortly thereafter the “reservoir fuel low” light illuminated. The pilot ensured the fuel tanks, fuel pump, and igniters were on, and he diverted to a nearby private strip. Soon after, the airplane’s engine began to lose power. The pilot increased the throttle, but the engine lost total power. The airplane descended rapidly when it struck several trees and touched down on an upsloping field short of the runway. The wing spar in the airplane’s right wing sustained substantial damage.
During a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that he last refueled the airplane the day before the accident at Ozona Municipal Airport (OZA). He then flew the airplane a little over 1 hour to HYI to prepare for the accident flight. When asked if the airplane ran out of fuel, the pilot replied “no, I should have had more fuel.”
During an on-scene examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the airplane was moved to level ground. Its electrical system was turned on and the “LT fuel low,” “RT fuel low,” and “reservoir fuel low” lights illuminated. In addition, the left and right fuel gauges showed ‘empty.’ Both the left and right fuel tanks were sumped and no fuel was noted. About 2 cups of fuel were drained from the reservoir fuel tank, and a couple ounces of fuel were drained from the fuel strainer.
The operator reported that once the airplane was repaired, fuel was added to both the left and right fuel tanks. The engine started and operated normally with no anomalies noted.
In the Air Traffic Mandatory Occurrence Report, air traffic control (ATC) reported that the pilot declared a mayday and attempted to divert to an airport. After the airplane landed in the field, the pilot contacted ATC and reported that he “lost track of fuel and ran out.”
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 52, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: January 14, 2022
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: September 11, 2021
Flight Time: 13550 hours (Total, all aircraft), 9944 hours (Total, this make and model), 13480 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 89 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 16 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N108RF
Model/Series: 208B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1996
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 208B0528
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 3
Date/Type of Last Inspection: October 27, 2021 100 hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 8750 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 64 Hrs
Engines: 1 Turbo prop
Airframe Total Time: 15599 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: P&W Canada
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-114A
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 675 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPEZ, 430 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 12:55 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 336°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 200°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.35 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / -7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Austin, TX (HYI)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Pleasanton, TX (PEZ)
Type of Clearance: VFR flight following
Departure Time: 09:45 Local
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: 74 Ranch Airport 0XA5
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 316 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 14
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3887 ft / 1185 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Precautionary landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 28.68538,-98.38311
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