NTSB Factual Report

On April 5, 2003, about 1330 Alaska standard time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 207 airplane, N207SE, sustained substantial damage when it lost engine power and collided with trees during a forced landing, about 16 miles northwest of Aniak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country maintenance test flight from St. Mary's, Alaska, to Aniak, under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Hageland Aviation Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on April 5, the director of operations for the operator reported that the airplane's engine was recently installed by company maintenance personnel after the engine was overhauled. The engine was overhauled by a maintenance facility in Anchorage, and the pilot was putting flight hours on the engine. The director of operations said the pilot noticed a change in the engine oil pressure, and the engine began to lose power. The pilot made a forced landing in remote terrain. During the emergency landing, the airplane collided with trees and received damage to the right main landing gear, the nose gear, and the fuselage.

In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, the pilot reported that during the flight, the engine oil pressure was indicating about 50 psi. He made a slight change in the engine rpm and manifold pressure settings, and the oil pressure rose rapidly to the top of the operating range. The engine cylinder and oil temperature readings did not change. The pilot climbed the airplane to about 2,800 feet msl, and discussed the engine parameters with other company personnel via radio. As the airplane was approaching Aniak, the pilot said the engine lost power. He switched the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank and activated the engine boost pump. Engine power was not restored, and he switched the selector back to the left tank. The pilot indicated the engine sounded as if it was firing on all cylinders, but only at an idle. The pilot also indicated that, "I do not know whether the left fuel tank was completely exhausted of fuel or not. The engine went from power to idle immediately, without any sputtering or coughing."

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector from the Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) traveled to the accident scene on April 9, 2003, and examined the accident airplane. He reported that the left fuel tank was empty. The right fuel tank contained about 15 gallons of fuel. He found no evidence of fuel leaking, and the engine and propeller controls were properly attached. The inspector started the engine, but due to broken engine mounts, the engine was not operated above an idle, however throttle movement was applied enough to elicit an increase in rpm.

The FAA inspector also reported that the operator sent the engine to a maintenance facility in Anchorage where it was installed and operated on an engine test stand. On April 16, the engine was operated on the stand at full power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper fuel management, and subsequent fuel starvation during cruise flight. A factor contributing to the accident was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.