Cessna 207A Stationair 7, registered to and operated by Iliamna Air Taxi, N7379U: Accident occurred August 07, 2018 near Iliamna Airport (PAIL), Alaska

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N7379U

Location: Iliamna, AK
Accident Number: ANC18LA064
Date & Time: 08/07/2018, 1215 AKD
Registration: N7379U
Aircraft: Cessna 207
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled

On August 7, 2018, about 1215 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 207 airplane, N7379U, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, about 1 mile southwest of the Iliamna Airport, Iliamna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand cargo/U.S. mail flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, Iliamna Air Taxi, Iliamna. The solo airline transport pilot sustained no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Iliamna Airport about 1210, and was en route to Kokhanok, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on August 7, the pilot reported that after takeoff on runway 35 he started a climbing left turn as he headed towards Kokhanok. He said that as the airplane reached his intended altitude of 1,000 feet mean sea level, and as he began to configure the airplane for cruise flight, the engine began to run rough and lose power, so he elected to immediately return to the Iliamna Airport. He said that he switched fuel tanks and activated the auxiliary fuel pump in an effort to restore full engine power. He noted that the roughness improved momentarily, followed by a severe engine vibration, and complete loss of engine power. The pilot selected a forced landing area on tundra-covered terrain.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the landing gear, fuselage, and wings.

The airplane was equipped with a Continental Motors IO-520-F engine, and a detailed examination is pending. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N7379U
Model/Series: 207
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Iliamna Air Taxi Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held:  Commuter Air Carrier (135); On-demand Air Taxi (135)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: IlI, 192 ft msl
Observation Time: 1153 ADT
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: -12°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3400 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 10 knots / , 320°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 6500 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.75 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Departure Point: Iliamna, AK (ILI)
Destination: Kokhanok, AK (9K2)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  59.745833, -154.917500