# Accident 20030319003549A: Gulstm 500S, Chickaloon, AK, March 19, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 19, 2003, 10:15 local time
- Place: Chickaloon, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Climb
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.7850° N, 148.3883° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7850&lon=-148.3883&mi=10
- Aircraft: N903AK, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N903AK-2018-01-17) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Rockwell International 500-S (registry code 7630410, https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-500-s) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GULSTM 500S
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 9,850 total, 110 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC03LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA032) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030319003549A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON MARCH 19, 2003 AT ABOUT 1015 LOCAL TIME A ROCKWELL 500S COMMANDER (N903AK) PILOTED BY MR. MATT TOMTER WAS ON A FAR PART 91.407(B) MAINTENANCE CHECK FLIGHT FOR THE ALASKA STATE FORESTRY WHEN FIRE BROKE OUT ON THE LEFT ENGINE. IN AN ATTEMPT TO SNUFF OUT THE FIRE THE ENGINE WAS FEATHERED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS PUT INTO A SHALLOW DIVE, TO NO AVAIL THE FIRE CONTINUED. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE MATANUSKA RIVER RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT, THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED ON THE GROUND WITH A HAND FIRE BOTTLE. THE PILOT AND MECHANIC WERE UNINJURED AS A RESULT OF THE LANDING. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FIREWALL TO THE FUEL PUMP CAME OFF IN FLIGHT, SPRAYING FUEL ONTO THE TURBO CHARGER RESULTING IN IGNITION. IN TURN THE TURBO OIL DRAIN BACK LINE WAS COMPROMISED RESULTING IN DUMPING ENGINE OIL INTO THE NACELLE HELPING IN FEEDING THE FIRE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC03LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA032), Mar 19, 2003: Rockwell 500-S (N903AK), Chickaloon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper installation of an engine fuel line fitting by contracted maintenance personnel resulting in an in-flight engine fire. Contributing factors in the accident were an inadequate annual…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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