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July 22, 2008 · Dehavilland DHC-3 · N61FE

Iliamna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Iliamna, AK
Aircraft
Dehavilland DHC-3
Tail Number
N61FE
Operator
Rainbow King Lodge
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC08LA089

The solo airline transport pilot was making a local reconnaissance flight in a float-equipped airplane under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 in conjunction with a wilderness lodge business. The pilot said that he was scouting local lakes and rivers for fish and, while returning to a float pond near the lodge, the airplane's engine lost oil pressure and then lost power. The pilot said that he descended to a road, and that after he touched the floats on the road the left wing struck a tree, causing the airplane to depart the roadway. The airplane sustained damage to the left wing's leading edge and fuselage. A mechanic said that the number 8 cylinder separated from the engine, causing an oil line to separate.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power due to the separation of the number 8 cylinder from the engine, which separated an oil line, resulting in a loss of oil and oil pressure. Contributing to the accident was the float-equipped airplane's forced landing on a road.

Full Narrative

On July 22, 2008, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped, de Havilland DHC-3 Otter airplane, N61FE, sustained substantial damage when it struck a tree while landing on a road, following an emergency descent, about 4 miles north of Iliamna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by Rainbow King Lodge Inc., Iliamna, as a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight, in conjunction with its guiding business. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 23, the pilot said he was scouting local lakes and rivers for fish. He said while returning to a float pond near the lodge, the airplane's engine lost oil pressure, and quit. The pilot said he descended to a road, and after touching the floats on the road, the left wing struck a tree, causing the airplane to depart the roadway. He said the airplane sustained damage to the wing's leading edge, and believed the wing might be bent aft. After examination by the pilot and an aviation mechanic, the pilot said the number eight cylinder had separated from the engine, pulling off an oil line. He said the engine had 19 hours since overhaul.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDehavilland DHC-3
Tail NumberN61FE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRainbow King Lodge
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt &Whitney · R1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats16

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 43 C
Altimeter29.82 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data