Accident Overview
On June 16, 2009, at approximately 1620 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 207 airplane, registration N1623U, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing about 2 miles south of the Crooked Creek Airport, Crooked Creek, Alaska. The airplane was operated by Bush-Tell, Inc., of Aniak, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) other work use flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91.
Occupants and Injuries
Of the three people aboard, the commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured, and one passenger sustained minor injuries.
Flight History
The flight originated at the Sleetmute Airport, Sleetmute, Alaska, about 1530. Company flight following procedures were in effect. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to transport a crew of telecommunications technicians from Aniak to Sleetmute, then continue to Crooked Creek before returning to Aniak later that evening.
Pre-Loss Events
The pilot reported that the flight between Aniak and Sleetmute was uneventful, although he had some difficulty starting the airplane’s engine before departing Sleetmute. Once started, the engine operated without difficulty, and he departed for Crooked Creek.
Loss of Engine Power
As the flight approached the Crooked Creek Airport, the pilot observed a large rain squall moving over the airport. He elected to remain south of the airport to allow the squall to move away. While maneuvering the airplane at 1,000 feet msl, all engine power was lost. After completing emergency procedures, the pilot was unable to restart the engine and selected a marshy, tree-covered site as a forced landing area.
Forced Landing and Damage
During the forced landing, the airplane collided with trees, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.
Engine Inspection
The airplane was equipped with a Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) IO-520 series engine. On July 27, 2009, under the supervision of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge, an engine teardown and inspection was performed at B.J. Custom Aircraft Engines, Inc., Palmer, Alaska. The inspection revealed no preaccident mechanical anomalies.