N3206U

On February 2, 2025, about 1354 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 182F, N3206U, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Anchorage, Alaska. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot departed Merrill Field (PAMR), Anchorage, Alaska at 1106 and flew to the Cantwell Airport (PATW), Cantwell, Alaska; overflew the airport without landing and then returned to PAMR. Prior to departure the pilot visually checked that both the left and right tanks had fuel. The purpose of the flight was to break in two cylinders which had been replaced in November.

The pilot reported that on takeoff the fuel selector valve was set to “both” which allowed fuel to feed from both tanks. The pilot kept the fuel selector on both tanks for two hours, at which time he moved the fuel selector valve to the right tank for the remainder of the flight. The pilot said that as he was crossing the inlet on his return to PAMR he moved the fuel selector back to both tanks. While established in the traffic pattern the pilot reported that the engine began to run rough, and he noticed a simultaneous rise in the Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT); he applied full carburetor heat which resulted in a return of full power and lowered the EGT. On short final for runway 25 at PAMR, the engine lost all power, and the pilot made a forced landing to an empty parking lot. Shortly after touchdown the airplane impacted a curb, the nose gear was separated from the fuselage and the airplane came to rest on its nose. As a result, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts and fuselage.

A detailed engine examination is pending.