Incident Overview
A commercial certificated pilot was conducting a 14 CFR Part 135 air taxi cargo flight. The airplane was equipped with fixed tricycle landing gear and had an external rack attached to its belly, carrying a load of plywood. During cruise flight at 1,500 feet mean sea level, the pilot detected the smell of smoke in the cockpit.
Emergency Actions
As flames entered the cabin, the pilot flew toward a river and executed an emergency landing on a gravel bar. During the landing roll, the pilot jumped from the airplane. The airplane continued rolling until it struck a log and nosed over. The fire continued to burn.
Rescue Response
Passing aircraft observed smoke in the area and subsequently spotted the airplane and the pilot in the river outside the airplane. A nearby helicopter pilot responded to the scene and airlifted the pilot to a local hospital.
Regulatory Findings
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), no records were found indicating that the operator had an external load authorization. Additionally, no records were found showing that the airplane had a restricted category authorization for external loads or any authorization for the installation of the external lumber rack.