20030731037149A

(-23) On July 31, 2003, about 2013 local time, a Cessna 207 airplane, N29CF, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a chain link fence and concrete embankment during a forced landing at a football stadium complex in Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by spernak airways inc., of Anchorage, Alaska, as an on-demand passenger flight under title 14, CFR part 135, when the accident occurred. Of the four people aboard, the certificated commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. One of the passengers sustained serious injuries, and the remaining passenger sustained minor injuries. VMC prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at beluga airport, tyonek, Alaska, about 1945 local time, and was enroute to merrill field, Anchorage. Several hundred people witnessed the accident, and was videotaped by a local news crew. A post accident inspection of the aircraft revealed no breach of the fuel system. Further inspection revealed 30 gallons of 100LL avgas in the left fuel cell, 3 quarts of 100LL avgas in the right wing, 1 pint of 100LL in the right header tank. There was no indication of any fuel contamination. In an interview on August 7, 2003, brian mason, the pilot in command of N29CF at the time of the accident, admitted to never changing the fuel selector position from the right tank after the engine failed. Although, he did check to make sure the selector was on the right tank. Spernak airways, inc., unofficial policy was to operate on the right tank under most conditions. An inspection of the engine from N29CF conducted by the NTSB and observed by the FAA revealed no mechanical irregularities. The preliminary investigation reveals that the pilot in command ran the right tank dry, failed to switch to the left fuel tank, which contained 30 gallons of fuel, and was forced to make an emergency landing.