N9575GCessna U206F · 1972

On May 22, 2017, about 1823 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna U206F airplane, N9575G, was destroyed following a fire while taxiing, after landing at a remote unimproved off airport landing site near Noatak, Alaska. The airplane was registered to and operated by Golden Eagle Outfitters, as a visual flight rules flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight departed Ralph Wein Memorial Airport (OTZ), Kotzebue, Alaska at about 1800.

The pilot reported that after landing, at the remote unimproved off-airport landing site, he taxied to the end of the strip and turned around while raising the airplane's flaps. Immediately thereafter, he felt heat on the left side of his face, he glanced out the left side pilot window, and then turned his head to the right, when he noticed flames in the aft cabin near the right-side cargo door. Both the pilot and passenger immediately exited the airplane. The pilot stated that he attempted to regain access to the burning airplane through the right-side cargo door but was unable due to the heat and flames.

The passenger provided a list of items that were onboard the airplane at the time of the accident, that included, in part: two duffel bags with personal and camping gear, two action packers with camp food and research supplies, two sealed packages of AA and AAA alkaline batteries, two laptop computers equipped with lithium batteries, a partial can of Coleman camp stove fuel and camp stove, a sealed 12-volt battery, field shovel, soil probe and stream flow meter.

A review of the airplanes maintenance records revealed that on March 11, 2017, the right main fuel bladder had been replaced and a new fuel bladder assembly installed with new gaskets and clips. In addition, the fuel selector was replaced with a rebuilt fuel selector.

On July 13, 2017, the NTSB IIC, along with a Federal Aviation Administration safety inspector from the Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office and a representative from Textron Aviation examined the airframe and engine at the facilities of Alaska Claims Services, Inc., Wasilla, Alaska.

The cockpit, baggage area, right wing, left wing fuel cell and fuselage section forward of the vertical stabilizer, along with the contents of the airplane were largely consumed by fire.

The fuel selector was located and exhibited extensive thermal damage. The fuel lines were melted through, however, all the B-nuts attaching the aluminum fuel lines to the fuel selector appeared to be in place.

The pilot reported that while on final approach to a remote gravel bar adjacent to a river, in gusty and variable wind conditions, the 10 knot headwind subsided just before touchdown, and the airplane descend below his anticipated approach path. He initiated a go-around, but the right wing abruptly dropped, and the right main wheel struck the water, which pivoted the airplane 90 degrees to the right. The airplane’s right wing subsequently struck the surface of the water, sustaining substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.