Cessna A185F N8041R accident near Kaktovik, Alaska

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during a steep turn with a low fuel state.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was maneuvering to land at a riverside gravel beach when the engine experienced a loss of power at low altitude. The pilot stated that the engine surged and he was not sure if it was a partial loss of power. He attempted to restore power by advancing the throttle, mixture and propeller controls; however, power was not restored. The pilot continued straight ahead and turned on the auxiliary fuel boost pump, and engine power was restored as the airplane impacted brush-covered terrain, resulting in substantial damage.

The wreckage recovery crew observed almost no fuel in one tank and very little in the other. The pilot stated that fuel leaked out of the low wing fuel vent after the accident and he provided photographic evidence. The precise quantity of usable fuel at the time of the accident could not be determined. Given full fuel tanks at the time of departure and an average fuel flow of 13 gallons per hour, the fuel remaining about the time of the accident should have been about 17 gallons distributed between the two wing tanks, of which 6 gallons was considered unusable. A review of GPS data revealed that the engine experienced the power loss after the pilot performed a steep turn to survey the landing site.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Fuel was present in the fuel system components leading to the engine and the engine operated normally during a test run.

It is likely that, during the steep turn with the airplane's low fuel state, a wing fuel tank pickup was unported, which resulted in an interruption of fuel supply to the engine and a loss of engine power. Due to the airplane's low altitude, the pilot was unable to restore power before impact with terrain.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC18LA066 for the full record.