N4596U

On August 2, 1995, about 0910 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 206G, N4596U, crashed after takeoff from a remote lake, about 9 miles east of Skwentna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country on-demand charter flight to Anchorage, Alaska, under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Rust's Flying Service Inc., Anchorage, Alaska, received substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and 3 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Company VFR flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Lake Hood Seaplane base, Anchorage, about 0745.

The operator reported that the pilot departed Lake Hood with 17 gallons of fuel in each wing fuel tank. He dropped a passenger at a nearby river and then landed at Bulchitna Lake to drop the remaining two passengers. The pilot then loaded three new passengers and their gear for a return flight to Lake Hood. The pilot began a step taxi toward the northwest portion of the lake. The fuel selector was positioned on the right fuel tank that contained about 15 gallons. The left fuel tank gauge indicated that it held 10 gallons. The pilot performed about a 225 degree turn to the left while on the step and began the departure toward the west.

About 45 seconds after the airplane became airborne and about 150 feet above the ground, the engine suddenly quit. The pilot lowered the nose of the airplane, moved the fuel selector to the left fuel tank, and selected a forced landing area in Lake Creek which is adjacent to the lake. The airplane touched down on the water and the floats struck a gravel/sandbar and logs in the creek and then nosed over. The pilot indicated that the engine boost pump switch was "OFF" and he did not remove his hand from the control yoke to activate the switch during the emergency.

After the airplane was recovered, an inspection of the engine and airframe was conducted on August 11, 1995, at Alaska Aircraft Sales, Anchorage, Alaska. The fuel selector was positioned on the left tank. Both wings containing the fuel tanks were removed from the airframe during the recovery of the airplane. Small flakes of grey colored tank sealant material were noted around the forward and aft fuel supply line screens in the left wing fuel tank, but were not blocking the screens. The right wing fuel tank contained similar flakes of tank sealant material. No fuel supply line screens were installed on the forward or aft fuel lines in the right fuel tank.

The right reservoir tank was drained into a bucket. It contained blue colored fuel, a small amount of sediment, and a slight amount of water. Draining of the left reservoir tank produced similar results. The right reservoir tank drain was removed and air pressure was applied to the right wing tank fuel supply line at the airframe fitting. A small amount of sediment and small flakes of sealant material were collected. Removal of the left reservoir tank drain and application of air pressure produced a larger amount of sediment. Examination of the fuel strainer bowl and screen revealed no contamination. The fuel control inlet screen contained a slight amount of lint material but was otherwise clear. The fuel manifold screen was free of contaminants.

Examination of the engine revealed that upon hand rotation, it exhibited gear and valve train continuity, thumb compression, and produced spark at each spark plug. Activation of the fuel boost pump produced fuel pressure.

Fuel was added to the right wing fuel line and a small external fuel can was attached at the same point. The fuel selector was positioned on the right tank and the engine was started. The engine operated from engine idle to full power. A magneto check produced a drop of 75 RPM on each magneto. The engine continued to operate with and without the boost pump operating.

The airplane pilot's operating handbook, Section 7, Airplane and Systems Description, Fuel System, contains a note that states:... "Unusable fuel is at a minimum due to the design of the fuel system. However, with 1/4 tank or less, prolonged uncoordinated flight such as slips or skids can uncover the fuel tank outlets, causing fuel starvation and engine stoppage. Therefore, with low fuel reserves, do not allow the airplane to remain in uncoordinated flight for periods in excess of one minute."