Fairchild 42 N106M

Summary

On 12 October 2003 at about 23:00 local time, a Fairchild 42 registered N106M was involved in an accident near Wasilla, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 October 2003 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Wasilla, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Gannon's Landing (AK83)

Coordinates

61.6083, -149.6833

Aircraft

Fairchild 42

Registration

N106M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wasilla → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC04LA003

1 person had minor injuries.

The inadequate inspection of the carburetor by the aircraft mechanic who had recently worked on the carburetor, which failed to detect a cracked float, resulting in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. A factor associated with the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The accident pilot, a certified aircraft mechanic, reported the airplane was in cruise flight when the engine had a total loss of engine power. Emergency procedures failed to restart the engine, and the pilot selected an airstrip for an emergency landing site. The airplane was unable to reach the airstrip, and collided with trees. Postaccident inspection of the engine disclosed a leaking carburetor. The leaking carburetor was removed, and replaced with a serviceable carburetor. The engine started and ran without any observed deficiencies. The leaking carburetor was disassembled, and the metal float was found to be cracked. The metal float contained 2.4 ounces of fuel. The pilot noted that he had recently purchased the carburetor from an aircraft mechanic, and that he had requested the carburetor to be overhauled prior to installation on the accident airplane. The mechanic stated he did not perform the carburetor float leak check because he only de-preserved the carburetor, and did not overhaul the carburetor. The carburetor had been installed on the airplane about 3 flight hours prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.