19990524030129A

(.19) On may 24, 1999, about 0645 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Stinson 108 airplane, N793C, is presumed to have crashed into the water, about 8 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was reported overdue on may 24, 1999, and has not been located. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received fatal injuries. He was found by search personnel on may 30, 1999. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from campbell lake, a private lake located on the south side of Anchorage, about 0630 on may 24, 1999. The pilot's office manager reported the airplane overdue on may 24, 1999, at 1442, when the pilot failed to arrive at his office. Search personnel discovered the pilot had planned to fly south across the turnagain arm of the cook inlet to pick up two friends at a cabin on vogel lake. The lake is located on the kenai peninsula, about 16 miles southwest of Anchorage. The pilot was observed to depart campbell lake, but hefailed to arrive at vogel lake. Search personnel reported they began an extensive search along the pilot's anticipated route of flight over the turnagain arm. No record of radio communication witht he pilot was located, nor was one required. No record of a radar track was located. Radar advisory service was not required. The flight would have covered an open area of water of about 12 miles. The body of the pilot was located may 30, 1999, in the waters of chickaloon bay, along the north shore of kenai peninsula, about 15 miles south of Anchorage. No portion of the airplane has been found. (-23) on the morning of may 24, 1999, Mr. Glen ferris, pilot in command of N793C, a Stinson 108, departed campbell lake enroute to vogel lake on the kenai penninsula. Mr. Ferris did not arrive at vogel lake and was scheduled to return to his office at 0800 hours that morning. Mr. Ferris was reported overdue at 1445 hours on may 24, 1999. On may 30, 1999, Mr. Ferris's body was found on the beach at chickaloon flats. There was no accident scene nor was any wreckage recovered. (.4) a commercial pilot departed a private lake in a float equipped airplane for a flight over a 12 mile wide area of water. He intended to pick up two friends staying at a cabin, whom he dropped off the day before. The airplane did not arrive at the lake, and was reported overdue. Six days later, the body of the pilot was found along the shore of the area of water the pilot intended to cross. He was wearing a flotation cushion that was carried in the airplane. The cause of death was hypothermia, and drowning. The airplane has not been found. For several months before the accident, the airplane had a recurring engine roughness, backfiring, and several engine fires during start-up. During an annual inspection, one month before the accident, a mechanic installed a six point engine primer system. During flights within two days of the accident, passengers who flew in the airplane, commented that the engine would backfire when the throttle was reduced. One day before the accident, prior to flying the two friends to the cabin, the pilot purchased 20 gallons of automotive fuel, and poured it into the right wing fuel tank. During taxi for departure, the engine quit, and the pilo t had difficulty restarting the engine. Automotive fuel is not recommended, or approved, for the engine.