Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to remove all water from the fuel system. A factor associated with the accident was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On October 6, 2000, about 1515 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Helio H-295 airplane, N295BA, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, about 35 miles northeast of Port Alsworth, Alaska, at latitude 60 degrees, 32 minutes north, and longitude 153 degrees, 20 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, Branham Adventures, Anchorage, Alaska. The solo airline transport pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at Kokhanok, Alaska, about 1420, and was en route to Anchorage.
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on October 7, the pilot reported that while in level, cruise flight, the engine began to run rough, and lose power. He said that after performing emergency procedures, he was able to restore partial engine power momentarily, followed by a complete loss of engine power. The airplane collided with trees during a subsequent forced landing.
On October 9, company and insurance personnel retrieved the airplane from the accident site, and transported it to the Big Lake Airport, Big Lake, Alaska.
On October 17, the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office, and the accident pilot, examined the airplane at the Big Lake Airport. During the examination a total of about 10cc of clear water, along with clean (light-blue) fuel was removed from the carburetor body drain plug. A visual inspection of the airplane's gascolator revealed the presence of about two cups of murky and silty water.
The accident pilot stated that prior to departing on the accident flight, during his preflight inspection, he checked the accident airplane's fuel system for contaminants, by draining a fuel sample from the gascolator. He said that no contaminants were discovered.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC01LA003