Summary
On June 14, 2012, a Dehavilland DHC-2 (N121KT) was involved in an incident near Talkeetna, AK. All 7 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The loss of engine power after departure due to the separation of an engine cylinder.
On June 13, 2012, about 1915 Alaska daylight time, a de Havilland DHC-2 airplane, N121KT, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power after takeoff from the Talkeetna Airport (PATK), Talkeetna, Alaska. The certificated commercial pilot, and six passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to, and operated by Rusts Flying Service, doing business as K2 Aviation, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal regulations Part 135, as a visual flight rules (VFR) sightseeing flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect.
The pilot reported that he had departed runway 18, at PATK, on a scenic tour flight, and had reduced power to a cruise climb setting.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC12LA051. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N121KT.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The loss of engine power after departure due to the separation of an engine cylinder.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On June 13, 2012, about 1915 Alaska daylight time, a de Havilland DHC-2 airplane, N121KT, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power after takeoff from the Talkeetna Airport (PATK), Talkeetna, Alaska. The certificated commercial pilot, and six passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to, and operated by Rusts Flying Service, doing business as K2 Aviation, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal regulations Part 135, as a visual flight rules (VFR) sightseeing flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect.
The pilot reported that he had departed runway 18, at PATK, on a scenic tour flight, and had reduced power to a cruise climb setting. At approximately 1200 feet above the ground, the engine began to run rough, and lose power. The pilot turned back toward PATK, and performed emergency procedures to restore power. The engine continued to run rough at reduced power, and the pilot could not maintain altitude, followed by a total loss of engine power. He made a forced landing to a sand bar on the Chulitna River. On landing the airplane bounced over logs and ditches, and sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer, elevators, empennage, and main landing gear.
After the aircraft was recovered, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), examined the airplane in Talkeetna, on June 14. The inspector reported that the number two cylinder head had cracks radiating from the spark plug hole throughout the cylinder head, and it had begun to separate from the cylinder base.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC12LA051