N9815MCessna U206G · 1978

On August 19, 2010, about 1408 Alaska daylight time a Cessna U206G airplane, N9815M, sustained substantial damage during an off-airport emergency landing, about 18 miles east of Homer, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by Homer Air Inc., Homer, as a visual flight rules (VFR) sightseeing flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot and the three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight departed Homer about 1050.

In a written statement dated August 23, the pilot reported that about 18 miles east of Homer, at an altitude of 5,000 feet msl, the airplane had a sudden and complete loss of power. He wrote that he switched fuel tanks, and turned on the fuel boost pump, but the windmilling engine failed to restart. During an emergency landing on the Grewink Glacier, the airplane encountered a crevasse and nosed over. After exiting the airplane, the pilot said he saw fuel leaking from both wing-top fuel caps and the engine cowl. He said the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and the vertical stabilizer.

During interviews with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), an FAA inspector who was at the site during the airplane's recovery, said after righting the airplane, he removed about 8 gallons of fuel from each of the two main fuel tanks. He said the fuel appeared to be clear and free of water and other contaminants. He said fuel flow was established from the fuel tanks to the engine.

The airplane was refueled prior to the flight, and fuel samples obtained from the commercial fuel facility showed the fuel was clear, free of water and sediment, and the appropriate color and smell. No reports of fuel contamination had been received by the fuel supplier.

A review of the airplane's engine and airframe logbooks by the IIC and the FAA did not disclose any mechanical anomalies.

On November 10, 2010, under the supervision of the NTSB IIC and a representative of the engine manufacturer, the engine was removed from the airplane and installed on an engine test stand. The engine was successfully run through a series of power settings. No leaks or mechanical anomalies were discovered during the test runs.

The fuel system was removed from the airplane by the NTSB IIC and examined. No anomalies were found with the fuel and vent systems. The fuel tanks and lines were free of contamination.

The ignition system was examined by the IIC. All the wire bundles and connections appeared to be intact. The ignition switch was removed and bench tested for function, and no anomalies were found.

No evidence was discovered during any of the postaccident examinations of any preimpact mechanical abnormalities.