Pilot Was Landing On A Remote Off-Airport Gravel Bar Located Along A River

Location: Big Lake, AK Accident Number: ANC20LA099
Date & Time: September 22, 2020, 19:00 Local Registration: N4380B
Aircraft: CESSNA 170B Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On September 22, 2020, about 1900 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N4380B, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Big Lake, Alaska. The pilot was not injured. The Cessna was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations CFR Part 91 flight.

According to the pilot, he was landing on a remote off-airport gravel bar located along a river. During short final, at about 20 ft above ground level (AGL), the airplane’s engine sputtered followed by a partial loss of power. The engine then surged briefly followed by a total loss of engine power as the propeller continued to windmill. Subsequently, the airplane touched down in the river short of the gravel bar and nosed over.

The pilot added that he had about 1.7 hours of fuel remaining in the airplane’s fuel tanks at the time of the accident.

The airplane was powered by a Franklin 6A-350-C2 engine and a detailed examination is pending.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov