Incident Overview
A certificated commercial pilot and a passenger, a wildlife biologist employed by the State of Alaska, were conducting an aerial moose survey. The pilot reported that while in cruise flight at about 500 feet above ground level, all engine power was lost. Attempts to restore engine power were unsuccessful, and the pilot turned the airplane to avoid rising terrain. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane collided with trees.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector examined the airplane wreckage and obtained a fluid sample from the fuel system gascolator. The sample exhibited two obvious layers of separated liquid. The top layer consisted of a bluish liquid, consistent with the color of 100LL aviation fuel. The lower layer consisted of a clear liquid that appeared to be water. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge tested the clear fluid with water finding paste, and the sample tested positive for water.