Cessna U206 accident near Sleetmute, Alaska, August 15, 2013
On August 15, 2013 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Cessna U206, registered N2141F, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Sleetmute, Alaska (Sleetmute Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 15, 2013 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Sleetmute, Alaska · Sleetmute Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna U206 · all U206s on the register
- Registration
- N2141F · registry record · serial U206-0341
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during a postmaintenance flight, while remaining in the airport traffic pattern, the engine lost all power. The pilot selected an area of tree-covered terrain as a forced landing site, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. He stated that the reason for the loss of engine power was due to fuel starvation, and that he did not verify the position of the fuel selector valve before the flight. He added that when the airplane recently underwent maintenance, the fuel selector valve handle was positioned to the right fuel tank, which had a slight amount of fuel remaining. The pilot said that he routinely used the left fuel tank, which contained sufficient fuel for the flight. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern downwind)
- Fuel starvation during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel selector/shutoff valve › Inadequate inspection
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 6,413 hours in all; 5,893 in this make and model; 6,387 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 4, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,737 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 22, 2013; 70 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PASL Sleetmute AK
- Destination: PASL Sleetmute AK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,000 ft; a few clouds at 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.