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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 31, 2008 · Cessna 206 · N4886U

Galena, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 31, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Galena, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 206
Tail Number
N4886U
Operator
Howard Hugent
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC08LA113

The private pilot reported that while in level cruise flight during a Part 91 personal flight, the engine began to run rough and lose power. After seeing the engine fuel pressure fluctuating, the pilot switched fuel tanks. He said the roughness improved momentarily, followed by a strong smell of fuel in the cockpit, which was followed by a complete loss of engine power. Unable to restart the engine, the pilot selected a marshy tree-covered site as a forced landing area. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with trees, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. During a postaccident examination, an FAA inspector discovered that the main fuel line between the engine driven fuel pump and the main fuel servo assembly was disconnected, and noted that neither the fuel line nor the connectors were damaged during the accident. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that a maintenance technician had removed the fuel line about 1.9 hours before the accident. During an interview with the FAA inspector, the maintenance technician that removed and reinstalled the fuel line stated that he could not specifically recall if he had tightened the fuel line fitting after the initial installation, and presumed he had not.

NTSB Probable Cause

The en route loss of engine power due to a mechanic's failure to tighten a fuel line fitting, which became disconnected in flight.

Full Narrative

On August 30, 2008, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N4886U, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, about 62 miles southeast of Galena, Alaska. The airplane was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Wasilla Lake Sea Plane Base, Wasilla, Alaska, about 1300, and was en route to Kiana, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on August 31, the pilot reported that while in level cruise flight the engine began to run rough and lose power. He said that he saw the engine fuel pressure fluctuating, so he elected to switch fuel tanks in an effort to restore engine power. He noted that the roughness improved momentarily, followed by a strong smell of fuel in the cockpit area, which was followed by a complete loss of engine power. He said that he was unable to restart the engine, and selected a marshy tree-covered site as a forced landing area. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with trees, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. On September 2, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Anchorage Flight Standards District Office traveled to the Big Lake Airport, Big Lake, Alaska, and examined the airplane after it was recovered. The inspector reported he discovered that the main fuel line between the engine driven fuel pump and the main fuel servo assembly was disconnected, with no apparent impact damage to either the line or its connector. The FAA inspector said that during his postaccident review of the airplane's maintenance records, he discovered that a maintenance technician had removed the fuel line about 1.9 hours before the accident. During a follow-up interview with the FAA inspector, the maintenance technician that removed and reinstalled the fuel line stated that he could not specifically recall if he had tightened the fuel line fitting after the initial installation, and presumed he had not.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 206
Tail NumberN4886U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHoward Hugent
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550-F · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data