Pilot Debrief

CESSNA U206G near Beluga, AK — 2011-09-15

Final reportANC11LA103
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Date
2011-09-15
Location
Beluga, AK, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA U206G
Registration
N1779R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the on-demand passenger flight was taking off from a lake in a float-equipped, single-engine airplane. During takeoff/initial climb, the engine lost all power. There was no suitable place to land, and the pilot concentrated on landing the airplane straight ahead, as slow as possible. During the subsequent emergency landing, the airplane collided with terrain in a boggy area, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot said that, prior to takeoff, the airplane had been in a left step turn and that the left fuel tank had been selected for the takeoff. After the airplane was recovered, with the engine still attached to the fuselage, a new propeller installed, and a clean fuel supply provided, the engine was test run. The engine was run at varying rpms, and a magneto check was completed. No engine anomalies were found.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Selecting the appropriate fuel tank before takeoff could have prevented the engine failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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