History of Flight
On June 6, 2016, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Air Tractor AT-802 airplane, registration N802CE, experienced a loss of engine power while en route to Fairbanks, Alaska. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage after colliding with large trees and steep, rocky terrain during a forced landing near the Murphy Dome Air Force Station, about 22 miles northwest of Fairbanks. The airplane was registered to Arctic One, LLC, Fairbanks, and operated by Everts Air Fuel, Inc., Fairbanks, under 14 CFR Part 91 as a visual flight rules commercial bulk fuel transportation flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated from Rampart Airport, Alaska, about 1510.
The pilot had two scheduled bulk fuel delivery operations that day. The first was to Stevens Village Airport, and the second to Rampart. Prior to departing for Stevens Village, the pilot added 90 gallons of fuel to an unknown amount already in the tanks at Fairbanks International Airport (FAI). After delivering fuel to Stevens Village and returning to FAI, the Shadin fuel flow indicator showed 167 gallons. The pilot added 20 gallons to the right wing tank before departing for Rampart, totaling 187 gallons indicated. The flight to Rampart took about 25 minutes, and the pilot reported negligible wind. After unloading at Rampart, no refueling occurred.
During climb out from Rampart, the low fuel warning light flickered but then extinguished. About halfway to FAI, the low fuel warning light illuminated steadily. Approximately 20 miles from FAI, shortly after contacting Fairbanks Approach Control, the engine lost all power. The fuel flow indicator showed 95 gallons remaining. The pilot performed engine-out emergency procedures, including feathering the propeller and shutting off systems, but the engine did not restart. He attempted to land at the closed Murphy Dome Air Force Station but was unable, ultimately landing in a remote area with large spruce trees and rocky terrain. The airplane struck trees and terrain, coming to rest upright. At 1549, the FAA issued an Alert Notice, and a USAF HH-60G helicopter with Pararescuemen retrieved the pilot.
Aircraft Information
The Air Tractor AT-802 is a two-seat tandem cockpit restricted category airplane, originally designed for aerial application. It was modified for bulk fuel transport. The airplane was powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67F turbine engine with a 5-blade Hartzell propeller. Maximum hopper load for liquid product is 8,800 pounds (800 gallons).
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage was recovered and examined at the operator's hangar on July 15, 2016, with NTSB, FAA, Air Tractor, Pratt & Whitney Canada, and Everts Air Fuel representatives present. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were found in the airframe or engine. During examination of the header tank, 3 quarts of fuel were drained, which was clear with no significant debris or contamination. Air Tractor noted that this fuel level would place the fuel surface near the top of the header tank pickup tube, likely causing air ingestion with in-flight sloshing.
Engine accessories (flow divider, fuel pump, fuel control unit) were tested at Pratt & Whitney Canada and showed no anomalies. Fuel sensing components (gauging system, low fuel warning system, fuel flow indicator) were tested at Air Tractor and also showed no anomalies. The low fuel caution light is set to illuminate when either wing tank has about 14 gallons of usable fuel (approximately 28 gallons total). At an average fuel burn of 110 gallons per hour, 28 gallons provides about 15 minutes of flight time.
The fuel flow indicator, which relies on pilot-entered initial fuel quantity and subtracts fuel flow, displayed 96.4 gallons remaining and 77.4 gallons used when tested, indicating it was programmed with 173.8 gallons at the last reset. The Shadin operating manual emphasizes visual confirmation of usable fuel before entering it into the system.
Survival Factors
The airplane was equipped with an Artex ME-406 ELT, which activated and transmitted the location to the USAF Rescue Coordination Center. The pilot used a 5-point restraint system with inflatable restraints that did not deploy; the system was properly armed and had no anomalies. The pilot wore an MSA Gallet LH250 flight helmet as required by the AFM; no damage to the helmet was reported.
The aircraft had a Perkins Technologies DAAM system that recorded engine parameters; no anomalies were found in the data from the accident flight.
Organizational Management
Everts Air Fuel holds a 14 CFR Part 125 certificate since February 1, 1983, and is owned by a private individual and Everts Investments.