Preliminary Report: Caravan engine quits in flight

Cessna 208B Caravan, Clarendon, Texas, June 7, 2005–An “unusual whining/hissing noise” alerted the pilot of Caravan N9505B to problems with the flight, which was at 6,000 feet on a climb to cruise altitude. At 8,000 feet, the noise grew louder and the inlet turbine temperature gauge started fluctuating. After a “bang,” the engine quit. Unable to restart it, the ATP-rated pilot, the sole occupant, declared an emergency and made a successful landing in an open grass field near Clarendon with no damage to the airplane and no injuries.