NTSB Factual Report

On June 22, 2003, approximately 1500 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T337D, N86182, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power while descending near Driggs, Idaho. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot and his sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal cross-country flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Johnson Creek Airport (3U2), Yellow Pine, Idaho, at 1400, and was en route to the Driggs-Reed Memorial Airport (U59), Driggs, Idaho.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that after departing 3U2 and climbing to 13,500 feet mean sea level (MSL), his intention was to check weather to the east and refuel in either Challis (LLJ) or Salmon (SMN), Idaho. The pilot stated that the distance to his destination, U59, was 201 nautical miles and estimated that he had 2 hours of fuel in the main tanks at the time of takeoff. After approximately .2 hours (12 minutes) the pilot related that the Global Positioning System (GPS) was indicating a groundspeed of 190 knots, with U59 only 59 minutes away. The pilot stated, "Assuming (incorrectly, as it turned out!) that we had near 1 3/4 hours of fuel remaining, I deleted LLJ from our GPS fight plan and decided to proceed direct to Driggs. We continued to achieve groundspeeds of 180 knots to 190 knots throughout the flight. Approximately 80 nautical miles from U59 the pilot began a slow descent to 8,000 feet MSL. Approximately 60 nautical miles northwest of U59, the pilot mentioned to his passenger that the right main fuel gauge seemed to be reading lower than usual. The pilot then switched the rear engine (normally feed off the right main and right aux tanks) over to the right aux tank. Two to three minutes later the engine [rear engine] started to "cough", prompting the pilot to switch it back over to the right main tank. The pilot reported that about 20 nautical miles from U59 the front engine began to fail from lack of fuel. "Knowing there was little fuel in the left aux tank, I tried to crossfeed the front engine to the right main tank while the engine was still coughing. I was unable to keep the engine running, so I feathered the front propeller and proceeded direct to U59 while maintaining 7,500 feet MSL." The pilot said he was about to make a radio call on the airport's Unicom frequency when the rear engine began to fail from lack of fuel. "I feathered the rear engine while there was still oil pressure, retracted the flaps I had put out for the descent, reduced airspeed to about 115 miles per hour, and began looking for a forced landing site. The pilot stated that at 7,000 feet MSL he turned toward the south, into the wind, looking for north/south roadways while the right seat passenger began to manually pump the gear down. With only the gear doors open and deciding that there was no suitable road within gliding range, the pilot elected to make a wheels up landing in a field. The pilot reported the airplane touched down "fairly hard and fast" due to having only 1/3 flaps on. After slowing, the airplane spun 90 degrees to the left and began sliding sideways before coming to a stop in an upright position. Both the pilot and his passenger exited the airplane uninjured. There was no post-impact fire.

An FAA inspector, who traveled to the aircraft recovery site, reported the aircraft had sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage frame where both wing struts are attached, as well as to the bottom of the fuselage. The right wing tip and the forward wheel well area were also damaged.

In the Recommendation section of the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported, "Accident was caused by faulty fuel planning. Inadequate allowance for fuel consumed during startup, warm-up, taxi, and initial departure. Avoid by dipping tanks prior to every flight."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate inflight decision by failing to refuel while en route, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power. A factor contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing.