Bradshaw / McCauley GILES G-202 N202AK

Summary

On 30 May 2019 at about 23:16 local time, a Bradshaw / McCauley GILES G-202 registered N202AK was involved in an accident near Wasilla, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 May 2019 at 23:16

Classification

Accident

Location

Wasilla, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Wasilla (IYS)

Coordinates

61.5758, -149.5317

Aircraft

Bradshaw / McCauley GILES G-202

Registration

N202AK

Category

Airplane

Year built

1998

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wasilla → Wasilla

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC19FA021

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain control after the partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was a contamination of the fuel system, which likely seized the electric fuel pump and restricted fuel flow to the engine.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the airplane's takeoff roll, two witnesses reported that the engine sounded unusual; the airplane became airborne and flew in ground effect until it reached the end of the runway and then pitched up abruptly. As the airplane reached about 500 feet agl, the engine sputtered and the airplane made a hard-left turn and pitched down. After the loss of engine power, the pilot likely initiated a return to the runway environment, during which the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane was heard regaining power as it descended below the tree line, just prior to impacting the ground. In a postaccident examination, the electric fuel pump was found seized with contaminants inside the internal fuel passages. The contaminants were determined to be consistent with a mixture of fuel additives such as anti-static and anti-corrosion additives. It is likely that, during the takeoff, the electric fuel pump seized due to the fuel contamination and restricted fuel flow to the engine. The engine then experienced a degree of fuel starvation which resulted in reduced engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.