Accident Interstate S-1B1 N73AR, Sunday 13 May 1990

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Date:	Sunday 13 May 1990
Time:	19:00 LT
Type:	Interstate S-1B1
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N73AR
MSN:	1024
Total airframe hrs:	349 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-320-B2B
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Talkeetna, AK - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Executive
Departure airport:	Cantwell, AK (Z70)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND ADDED FULL POWER AND ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB OVER A RIDGE WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. HE WAS FORCED TO LAND ON UNIMPROVED TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE REVEALED BROWN FLAKES WHICH WERE EXAMINED AND FOUND TO BE FLAKES OF GASOLINE VARNISH. THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE HAD SAT WITHOUT OPERATING FOR A LONG TIME PRIOR TO HIS PURCHASE OF THE AIRPLANE.

Probable Cause: FUEL CONTAMINATION WHICH PRECLUDED THE ENGINE FROM DEVELOPING THE NECESSARY POWER TO CLEAR THE MOUNTAIN RIDGE.

Accident investigation: