1991-04-04: Cessna 180F — James E. Carner — Yukon River, AK

Casualties unknown • Yukon River, AK, US

Probable cause

A CARBURETOR FUEL LEAK DUE TO INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN BACKFIRING AND WOULD ONLY PRODUCE IDLE POWER. HE WAS FORCED TO LAND ON THE FROZEN YOKON RIVER AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR FLOAT BOWL DRAIN PLUG WAS NOT INSTALLED AND COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE AIRPLANE HAD RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION ONLY 1.5 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME EARLIER.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-04-04 Cessna 180F accident near Yukon River, AK?

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN BACKFIRING AND WOULD ONLY PRODUCE IDLE POWER. HE WAS FORCED TO LAND ON THE FROZEN YOKON RIVER AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR FLOAT BOWL DRAIN PLUG WAS NOT INSTALLED AND COULD NOT…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-04-04 involved a Cessna 180F, registration N2117Z, operated by James E. Carner, at Yukon River, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A CARBURETOR FUEL LEAK DUE TO INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16713. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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