NTSB Factual Report

On August 16, about 1920 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 207 airplane, N73463, operated by Wright Air Service, Fairbanks, Alaska, as a Title 14, CFR Part 91 positioning flight, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and a forced off-airport landing, about 15 miles northwest of Fairbanks. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. The flight operated in visual meteorological conditions, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight departed Squaw Lake, Alaska, about 1810, en route to Fairbanks.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 17, the director of operations related that the pilot told him that while en route to Fairbanks, he noticed that the engine oil pressure went to zero. According to the director of operations, the pilot said the other engine gauges appeared to be normal, and instead of seeking a spot to land, he continued the flight. About 45 minutes to an hour later, the engine seized, and the pilot attempted to land on an oil field access road. The airplane went off the access road, and collided with a ditch, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.

An FAA airworthiness inspector from the Fairbanks Flights Standards District Office was present at the operator's facility when the accident engine was disassembled. The inspector noted that the engine had seized from operating without sufficient oil. He was unable to find a source of any preaccident oil leak, and noted that the engine had a history of oil consumption, and was within 200 service hours of an engine overhaul.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power in cruise flight due to a lack of sufficient oil. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper in-flight decision to continue the flight after noting a loss of oil pressure.