Cessna TP206B accident near Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, June 1, 2013
On June 1, 2013 at about 4:25 pm local time, a 1966 Cessna TP206B, registered N3350J, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (Door County Cherryland Airport). It was a skydiving flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper reselection of the left fuel tank, which had an obstructed vent system and resulted in a total loss of engine power during the approach for landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 1, 2013 · about 4:25 pm local time
- Place
- Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin · Door County Cherryland Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna TP206B, built 1966 · all TP206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N3350J · no longer on the register · serial P206-0310
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Skydiving flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during a skydiving flight. After the pilot switched the fuel tank selector from the left fuel tank to the right fuel tank position, the engine restarted. The pilot continued the flight. While returning to the departure airport and preparing for landing, the pilot switched the fuel tank selector back to the left fuel tank position because the fuel gauge indicated a greater fuel quantity. About 1 minute later, the engine quit. The pilot landed the airplane left of the intended runway, about 200 feet from its end, and the airplane flipped over and pivoted on its nose. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left fuel tank vent system was obstructed with an unknown substance. It is likely that the obstruction prevented fuel flow to the engine and resulted in a total loss of engine power.
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
- Fuel related during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (climb to cruise)
- Attempted remediation/recovery during enroute (climb to cruise)
- Fuel starvation during enroute (descent)
- Loss of engine power (total) during emergency descent
- Nose over/nose down during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Damaged/degraded
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,570 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 52 in the last 90 days; 24 in the last 30 days; 1,773 as pilot in command; 373 on instruments
- Last flight review: February 4, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520 (piston); 800 hours total
- Operator: Skydive Door County
The flight
- Departed from: SUE Sturgeon Bay WI at 4:00 pm
- Destination: SUE Sturgeon Bay WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 20, 4,599 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.65 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from SUE
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.