Accident Overview
On August 25, 2012, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna U206D airplane, registration N729RV, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Nikolai, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
Flight Details
The flight departed Palmer, Alaska at 1137. The pilot reported being in level cruise flight when the engine lost oil pressure, followed by smoke in the cockpit, and a total loss of engine power. He executed a forced landing to a gravel bar on the Kuskokwim River.
Pilot Account
During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 27, the pilot described the sequence of events. After touching down, the airplane slid across a shallow creek and impacted the river bank, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.
Post-Accident Events
In a written statement received by the NTSB on December 2, 2012, the pilot reported that the wreckage was not recovered until August 28. During that interval, rising creek waters partially submerged the wreckage, washing all contents downstream, including the airplane's engine and airframe logbooks.
Investigation Outcome
Due to the remote location, the NTSB did not examine the airplane at the accident site, and the engine was not made available for inspection. Consequently, no determination was made as to the cause of the engine power loss.