Cessna TU206 N4974F accident near Ninnekah, Oklahoma

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, resulting from the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.

NTSB analysis

Shortly after departure and on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine lost power. The pilot tried to make a forced landing on the runway, but the airplane collided with terrain short of the runway. During the impact the airplane struck a berm and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, vertical fin, rudder, and both wings. According to the passengers, the purpose of the flight was to obtain fuel from another airport, and, during takeoff, the fuel gauges appeared to indicate empty. The pilot did not perform a preflight inspection; he told the passengers that he had enough fuel for the 5-minute flight. A postaccident examination of the engine and related systems revealed no preimpact anomalies.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10LA159 for the full record.