Accident Overview
On February 9, 2015, at approximately 1025 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 180 airplane, registration N9280C, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing about 5 miles southeast of Glennallen, Alaska. The accident occurred following a possible in-flight fire and partial loss of engine power. The pilot, a certificated airline transport pilot, was not injured.
Flight Details
The airplane was privately owned and operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules local personal flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Gulkana Airport in Gulkana, Alaska, at about 1000.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to take photographs in an area east of Glennallen. About 20 minutes after departure, he noticed the smell of smoke in the cockpit and immediately began a return to the airport. Shortly thereafter, the engine began to lose power, and the pilot was unable to maintain altitude. He performed a forced landing in an area of heavily wooded terrain. After the airplane came to rest, the pilot observed a small fire in the engine cowling, which he extinguished by packing snow into the cowling.
Aftermath and Investigation
The airplane was equipped with a Spidertracks satellite tracking system that transmits real-time position reports. After being alerted that the airplane had gone down, a local pilot landed near the accident site and picked up the pilot. Due to the remoteness of the accident site, the airplane was not recovered, and the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge was unable to examine the airframe or engine.