Cessna U206E accident near Braithwaite, Louisiana, August 13, 2014
On August 13, 2014 at about 2:30 pm local time, a 1970 Cessna U206E, registered N2272X, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Braithwaite, Louisiana. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the subsequent forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 2014 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Braithwaite, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna U206E, built 1970 · all U206Es on the register
- Registration
- N2272X · registry record · serial U206-01556
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the flight was uneventful until the engine began running roughly as he maneuvered the airplane toward the intended destination. The pilot added that he immediately identified that the right fuel tank was likely running low on fuel; however, as he changed the fuel selector positions, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. Due to the airplane's low altitude, about 500 ft above the ground, the pilot decided to make an immediate forced landing to a nearby road; however, as he approached the road, he saw an approaching vehicle, and, in response, he attempted to land before reaching the road. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with a power line that the pilot reported he never saw. The pilot stated that he had departed with 70 gallons of fuel that was evenly distributed between both wing fuel tanks. Additionally, he stated that the airplane had been drawing fuel from the right fuel tank for the entire flight, which was 2 hours 15 minutes long, and that he did not switch fuel tanks until the engine began running roughly. The pilot added that the total loss of engine power was due to his mismanagement of the fuel system, which resulted in fuel starvation.
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 starvation during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,522 hours in all; 253 in this make and model; 149 in the last 90 days; 53 in the last 30 days; 5,970 as pilot in command; 2,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 12, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 16,831 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 27, 2014; 52 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-550-F6B (piston); 2,678 hours total
- Operator: Southern Seaplane Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: 65LA Belle Chasse LA at 12:15 pm
- Destination: 65LA Belle Chasse LA
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from NBG, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.