DEHAVILLAND DHC-2

Cantwell, AK — July 8, 2012

Event Information

DateJuly 8, 2012
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberANC12CA070
Event ID20120710X32500
LocationCantwell, AK
CountryUSA
Coordinates63.23111, -149.37473
Highest InjuryNONE

Aircraft

MakeDEHAVILLAND
ModelDHC-2
CategoryAIR
FAR Part135
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
None8
Total Injured0

Event Location

Probable Cause

The right seat passenger’s inadvertent contact with the emergency fuel shutoff valve, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to provide a thorough preflight briefing to the passenger seated in the cockpit.

Full Narrative

The pilot stated that during normal cruise flight the engine suddenly lost all power. He attempted to restart the engine, but was unable, and elected to make a forced landing in a bog. During the landing, the left wing and right elevator stuck trees, and sustained substantial damage.

After the forced landing, the pilot noticed that the emergency fuel shutoff lever on the right side of the center console had been moved toward the shutoff position.

The passenger that was seated in the right seat of the cockpit stated that we was unaware of the fuel shutoff lever, and was not briefed on specific areas to be aware of in the cockpit, but that he had been adjusting himself in the seat just prior to the engine shutting down.

About This NTSB Record

This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.

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