NTSB Factual Report

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.