Preliminary Report: Pilot survives forced landing

Cessna 208B Caravan, Cross City, Fla., Sept. 5, 2007–The Paragon Air Express Caravan lost power and made a forced landing in trees. While the Caravan was at cruise at 11,000 feet, the engine suddenly failed and the engine gauges went to zero. The commercial pilot declared an emergency; ATC told him that Cross City, 29 miles away, was the closest airport. Unable to restart the engine or reach the airport, he set up best glide speed, latched the crew door open, slowed to just above stall speed and stalled the airplane into the trees, 8.2 miles from the airport. He exited the airplane on his own.