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May 29, 2020 · Rockwell 500 S · N909AK

Aniak, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 2020
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 serious injuries)
Location
Aniak, AK
Aircraft
Rockwell 500 S (1975)
Tail Number
N909AK
Operator
State of Alaska
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC20LA050

After landing at the airport, the pilot had ground service personnel refuel the airplane. According to the fueler, he queried the pilot if he wanted Prist with his jet fuel, which the pilot replied, “No.” After completing the refueling process, he returned to his truck, wrote "Jet A" in the meter readings section of the prepared receipt, and presented it to the pilot for his signature. The pilot said that shortly after takeoff, he noticed a reduction in climb performance, and the airplane's engines began to lose power. Unable to maintain altitude, he selected an area of shallow water-covered terrain as a forced landing site. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane, which was equipped with reciprocating engines, had been inadvertently serviced with Jet A turbine fuel. A slightly degraded placard near the fuel port on the top of the wing stated, in part: "FUEL 100/100LL MINIMUM GRADE AVIATION GASOLINE ONLY CAPACITY 159.6 US GALLONS." In an interview, the fueler who serviced the airplane stated that he did not see a fuel placard near the fueling port.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to the use of improper fuel. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot and ground personnel to ensure that the airplane was serviced with the proper fuel.

Full Narrative

On May 28, 2020, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, an Aero Commander 500S airplane, N909AK sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Aniak, Alaska. The pilot and three passengers sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 public aircraft flight. The airplane was owned by the State of Alaska and operated by the Division of Forestry. According to the pilot, after arriving in Aniak, he had the local fuel vendor's ground service personnel refuel the airplane. He then signed the fuel receipt, and he returned to the airplane's cockpit to complete some paperwork before departure. Once the paperwork was complete, he then loaded his passengers, started the airplane's engines, and taxied to Runway 29 for departure. The pilot said that shortly after takeoff, and during initial climb, he initially noticed what he thought was mechanical turbulence followed by a reduction in climb performance, and the airplane's engines began to lose power. Unable to maintain altitude and while descending about 400 ft per minute, he selected an area of shallow water covered terrain as an off-airport landing site. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the landing. The fueler reported that he was unfamiliar with the airplane, so he queried the pilot as to where he should attach the grounding strap and the location of the fuel filler port. Before starting to refuel the airplane, he asked the pilot "do you want Prist with your Jet" to which the pilot responded that he did not. After completing the refueling process, he returned to his truck, wrote "Jet A" in the meter readings section of the prepared receipt, and presented it to the pilot for his signature. The pilot signed the receipt and was provided a copy. The fueler stated that he later added "no Prist" to his copy of the receipt, and that he did not see a fuel placard near the fueling port. A postaccident examination revealed that the reciprocating engine airplane had been inadvertently serviced with Jet A fuel. A slightly degraded placard near the fuel port on the top of the wing stated, in part: "FUEL 100/100LL MINIMUM GRADE AVIATION GASOLINE ONLY CAPACITY 159.6 US GALLONS." (see Figure 1.) Figure 1 - Fuel placard on accident airplane located near fueling port.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRockwell 500 S
Tail NumberN909AK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorState of Alaska
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 SER · Reciprocating · 325 | Lycoming · IO-540 SER · Reciprocating · 325
Seats9

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious4
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 36 C
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time23:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data