N900YH

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On January 5, 1993, at 2021 Alaska standard time, a Mitsubishi MU 2B 35 airplane, N900YH, operated by Bering Air, Inc. of Nome, Alaska, made a forced landing on the frozen ice pack of the Bering Sea approximately 18 nautical miles southeast of Nome, following a total loss of power on both engines. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The positioning flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Bethel, Alaska, at 1928, and was destined for Nome. Instrument meteorological conditions existed, and an IFR flight plan was filed.

The pilot stated that while at cruise flight at 20,000 feet msl, the right engine's fuel filter bypass warning light illuminated, followed about 2 minutes later by the same warning light on the left engine. A couple minutes later the right engine quit completely. He requested and was cleared to descend to a lower altitude. During the descent the left engine quit. After making several unsuccessful attempts to restart the engines, the pilot made a "wheels up" forced landing on the ice pack. After touchdown the airplane struck a pressure ridge, causing the left main landing gear to be torn from the airplane, and additional damage to the fuselage and left elevator.

The pilot said because of the low visibility he did not see the surface until he was about 500 feet above the moving ice pack. After the initial touchdown the airplane hit a pressure ridge, went over an area of open water, then came to a stop with the tail and right wing over the water. The pilot was rescued about three hours later by an Alaska Army National Guard helicopter from Nome.

Before departing Bethel the pilot of N900YH added 142.6 gallons of Jet A fuel to the airplanes fuel tanks. He reported on the NTSB Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he departed Bethel with a total of 220 gallons of fuel. The capacity of the airplanes fuel system is 375 gallons, with 366 gallons usable.

In the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) for the MU 2B 35 (revised December 20, 1991), is a portion entitled "Blending anti ice additive to fuel". Under that heading is the sentence: "Approved fuel system icing inhibitor conforming to MIL I 27686 must be added to the fuel in all tanks, unless fuel is premixed." (See enclosed extract from AFM.) The pilot stated that when he refueled he normally either used premixed fuel or added the icing inhibitor "Prist" which he usually carried in the airplane. He said he did not add Prist this time because the supply which he usually carried in the airplane had not been replenished by his company personnel. He said he had once previously refueled without adding any icing inhibitor and had not experienced any problems, so did not expect any this time.

The fuel in Bethel was pumped, by the pilot, from a tanker truck owned by Yukon Helicopters, Inc., dba Yukon Aviation, Box 976, Bethel, Alaska 99559. According to the pilot of N900YH, and the owner of Yukon Aviation, Mr. Thomas Ratledge, the fuel in the tanker was not premixed with an icing inhibitor.

On January 6, 1993, FAA Airworthiness Safety Inspectors Terry A. Bateman and Michael W. Hinds, from the FSDO-03 (Flight Standards District Office) in Anchorage, Alaska, visited Yukon Aviation and talked with Mr. Ratledge concerning the refueling of N900YH on the previous day. Inspector Bateman stated that no maintenance or inspection records were found for the fuel tanker or it's filters. He took fuel samples for later analysis. A statement of that visit is included in this report.

TESTS AND RESEARCH

Before the wreckage was moved from the ice pack fuel samples were taken from the airplanes left and right main fuel filters by Rudy Scott, Director of Maintenance for Bering Air. The pilot also took a fuel sample from the left inboard tank. These and other fuel samples taken later from the wrecked airplane, and fuel samples taken from the subject fuel tanker in Bethel, were tested and found to contain significant amounts of water. The tests were performed at the Chemical and Geological Laboratory, 5633 B Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99518. The tests reports are included in this report. Following the tests, the laboratory's Technical Director, Mr. Stephen Ede was telephoned concerning the results. He stated that the fuel sample from the fuel tanker nozzle contained an unusually high percentage of water.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

On January 7, 1993, an Alaska Army National Guard helicopter, using an external sling, lifted and carried N900YH back to Nome. In order to decrease the weight of the wreckage, so it could be recovered by helicopter, most of the contents of the airplanes fuel system was drained. Because of the dangerous moving ice pack, and the critical time factor, the contents were drained on the ice. Consequently the exact quantity and composition of the contents was not determined. After the airplane was initially lifted off the ice, and before the helicopter attained forward flight, the airplane was dropped from an unknown height back onto the ice, causing additional substantial damage to the airplane. When the wreckage was dropped the main fuel tank was ruptured, and more of the fuel systems contents were lost.

When the wreckage arrived in Nome, it was met by a number of people, including FAA Airworthiness Safety Inspector Clifford H. Smart, FSDO-01, Fairbanks, Alaska. (See his enclosed statement.) Under his supervision both the left and right main fuel screens and bowls were removed and found to be completely filled with ice. Both engine screens were also removed and found to contain significant amounts of ice. Small amounts of jet fuel, water and ice were found in both tip tanks.

The accident pilot stated that he did not drain any fuel samples from the airplane after refueling in Bethel. He said since it was so cold that if he opened a fuel drain it might freeze open. He further said that the fuel tanks were usually sumped and checked for water and other contaminants by the company maintenance personnel when the airplane was in the hangar at night. He said the airplane had been in the hangar the night before the accident.

Following the accident, Mr. Ralph Sorrells, a representative of Mitsubishi Aircraft Company in Dallas, Texas, was contacted. He stated that in his opinion, considering the large amount of water and ice found in the airplanes fuel system, even if the pilot of N900YH had added the appropriate amount of icing inhibitor when he refueled in Bethel, it would not have prevented the water from freezing.