Accident Details
On June 12, 2012, at 2034 mountain daylight time, a Cessna A185F, registration CG-ZVF, operated by a commercial pilot and registered to Transwest Air Limited Partnership, sustained substantial damage during a landing following a loss of engine power. The accident occurred near Winnett, Montana. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, departing from High River Regional Airport in High River, Alberta, Canada, with a destination of Billings Logan International Airport in Billings, Montana. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Pilot Information
In a post-accident interview, the pilot stated that he had recently lost his wife and was not thinking correctly. He indicated that he likely would not have made the flight under normal circumstances. The pilot did not hold a current medical certificate or flight review. He had purchased the stored airplane in Canada and did not file a required flight plan upon departure.
Engine and Fuel System
Before takeoff, the fuel tanks were filled to capacity, and the pilot drained fuel samples from all tanks without identifying water or other contaminants. While in cruise flight over a highway, the pilot switched fuel tanks, and the engine sputtered and then lost power. As the airplane descended, the pilot attempted to restart the engine. He did not see a transmission line until the last minute due to dark lighting conditions. He switched back to the original tank and successfully restarted the engine. After the airplane impacted the transmission line, the pilot maneuvered and landed on a highway. The pilot attributed the engine sputtering to undetected water in the fuel system. Later operation of the engine and fuel system showed no mechanical anomalies. Post-accident fuel sampling identified no contaminants.
Regulatory Context
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accident coordinator, the right wing impacted a transmission line during the landing, resulting in substantial damage. A flight plan or flight itinerary is required in Canada when pilots are more than 25 nautical miles from the departure airport or when operating between Canada and a foreign country.