ANC98LA075

The engine sustained a total loss of power while in cruise flight about 800 feet msl. During the forced landing on mud flats, the float equipped airplane flipped over. Postaccident investigation revealed the presence of fuel in all lines, and no mechanical defects with the engine. The engine operated normally when tested on the airframe. The fuel system was pressure tested, and then the flexible fuel lines were cut open for inspection; these tests revealed no discrepancies. No anomalies which would prevent the engine from operating were found.

On June 13, 1998, at 1250 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 185 float equipped airplane, N70195, sustained substantial damage during an emergency landing on mud flats about nine miles southeast of Anchorage, Alaska. The commercial pilot and the two passengers sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, as a personal flight. The flight departed from Lake Hood seaplane base in Anchorage at 1150 as a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot and both passengers stated to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) that while in cruise, returning to Anchorage, the engine lost power. The pilot stated he attempted to land the airplane in water, but the airplane touched down in soft mud and nosed over.

An inspection of the airplane by the NTSB investigator-in-charge on June 13, disclosed the presence of fuel in both wing tanks and all fuel lines to the engine. The cockpit fuel selector valve was found in the right tank position. The fuel tanks and airframe fuel lines were pressurized and revealed no leaks. The flexible fuel lines between the fuel selector valve and the engine were cut open and internally inspected with no abnormalities found. The engine driven fuel pump was removed and flow tested, revealing no discrepancies which would preclude engine operation.

The engine was operated on the airframe by the NTSB IIC on June 10, 1998, and produced full power.

The owner reported to the NTSB IIC that about one year earlier, while in cruise flight, the engine quit. During the ensuing descent, the engine was restarted, and then operated normally. The discrepancy could not be repeated, and no problems to account for the engine stoppage were discovered. After the incident, the pilot had all fuel lines and both fuel cells replaced, and the engine overhauled. The engine overhaul was completed 45 hours prior to the accident.