Cessna 180 accident near Anchorage, Alaska, July 9, 2017

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff from a seaplane base in the float-equipped airplane, the flap handle would not move, likely due to the headset cord wrapped around the flap handle base, so he maneuvered the airplane to the right downwind to return to land. The engine subsequently lost all power and the pilot performed a forced landing onto a residential street. The airplane sustained substantial damage after impacting a tree, a light pole, and multiple houses. A postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system revealed that the fuel tanks were almost full, and fuel was present in the fuel lines with the exception of the line from the fuel flow transducer to the fuel manifold. The manifold itself contained only residual fuel. No leaks or debris in the fuel system were observed. The fuel selector was in the “off” position at the scene of the accident, but the pilot stated that he turned it from “both” to “off” after the accident to prevent fuel leaks and fire. The engine test run revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Given the lack of fuel in the lines to the manifold and in the manifold, it is likely that the total loss of engine power was the result of fuel starvation during the flight; however, the reason for the fuel starvation could not be determined.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.