Sunday, May 10, 2020

Loss of Engine Power (Partial): Beech G18S, N103AF; accident occurred March 03, 2017 in Metlakatla, Alaska

Beech G18S, N103AF, before the accident.
Courtesy of Laith Barnhill

Google Earth image with last known wreckage location.



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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration/ Flight Standards District Office; Juneau, Alaska

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


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N103AF

Location: Metlakatla, AK
Accident Number: ANC17LA017
Date & Time: 03/03/2017, 0815 AKS
Registration: N103AF
Aircraft: BEECH G18
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

The pilot of the twin engine airplane and the pilot rated passenger reported that during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions, at 2,000 ft mean sea level, the right engine seized. The pilot attempted to feather the right engine by pulling the propeller control to the feather position; however, the engine did not feather. The airplane would not maintain level flight, so the pilot navigated over the water toward a known airport in front of the airplane and the passenger made emergency communications with air traffic control. The pilot was unable to maintain visual reference with the ground until the airplane descended through about 100 to 200 ft and the visibility was 1 statute mile. The pilot stated that he was forced to ditch the airplane in the water about 5 miles short of the airport and that the nose of the airplane separated from the fuselage during impact. The pilot and the passenger egressed the airplane and swam ashore before it sank in about 89 ft of water. Both the pilot and passenger reported that there was post impact fire on the surface of the water.

The airplane was not recovered which precluded a postaccident examination. Thus, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Flight Engineer
Age: 68, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Multi-engine Sea; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/01/2016
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/02/2017
Flight Time:  10308 hours (Total, all aircraft), 330 hours (Total, this make and model), 10102 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 80 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 24 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Pilot-Rated Passenger Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 23, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s):
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s):
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification:
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 

Pilot-Rated Passenger Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Remote
Age: 23, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Unmanned (sUAS)
Restraint Used:  
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present:No 
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification:
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot:
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: BEECH
Registration: N103AF
Model/Series: G18 S
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1961
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: BA-526
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/01/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 10000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 17646.7 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt and Whitney
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: R-985-AN-14B
Registered Owner: POINT TO POINT AIR LLC
Rated Power: 450 hp
Operator:On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PANT, 109 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 3 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1715 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 166°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  2 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 600 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 14 knots / 23 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 150°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.46 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 2°C / -1°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Light - Snow; Moderate - Mist
Departure Point: KLAWOCK, AK (AKW)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: KETCHIKAN, AK (KTN)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 0734 AKS
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: Fire At Unknown Time
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 55.091667, -131.601667 (est)

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