Event ANC24LA097

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that after departure in a float-equipped airplane from a remote lake, and as the airplane climbed to about 150 ft above ground level, all engine power was lost. The pilot switched the fuel selector to the reserve tank. The engine momentarily regain power but after about 15 seconds the engine again lost all power. The pilot conducted a forced landing into tree-covered terrain, during which both wings and the empennage sustained substantial damage. The pilot’s postaccident examination revealed the reserve fuel tank was leaking fuel, and the fuel tanks contained no usable fuel. After the accident, the pilot reported he was trying to fly with minimum fuel to conserve weight, and he could have had more fuel onboard. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
• — Aircraft-Fluids/misc hardware-Fluids-Fuel-Fluid management
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Inspection-Preflight inspection-Pilot
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Fuel planning-Pilot
• — Aircraft-Fluids/misc hardware-Misc hardware-(general)-Fluid level
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Rough terrain-Contributed to outcome