Rockwell 500 accident near Aniak, Alaska, May 29, 2020
On May 29, 2020, a 1975 Rockwell 500, registered N909AK, was substantially damaged in an accident during prior to flight near Aniak, Alaska. It was a public-use flight (state) under public-use (government) rules. 4 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to the use of improper fuel. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot and ground personnel to ensure that the airplane was serviced with the proper fuel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 2020
- Place
- Aniak, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell 500 S, built 1975
- Registration
- N909AK · no longer on the register · serial 3232
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight (state) · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After landing at the airport, the pilot had ground service personnel refuel the airplane. According to the fueler, he queried the pilot if he wanted Prist with his jet fuel, which the pilot replied, “No.” After completing the refueling process, he returned to his truck, wrote "Jet A" in the meter readings section of the prepared receipt, and presented it to the pilot for his signature. The pilot said that shortly after takeoff, he noticed a reduction in climb performance, and the airplane's engines began to lose power. Unable to maintain altitude, he selected an area of shallow water-covered terrain as a forced landing site. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane, which was equipped with reciprocating engines, had been inadvertently serviced with Jet A turbine fuel. A slightly degraded placard near the fuel port on the top of the wing stated, in part: "FUEL 100/100LL MINIMUM GRADE AVIATION GASOLINE ONLY CAPACITY 159.6 US GALLONS." In an interview, the fueler who serviced the airplane stated that he did not see a fuel placard near the fueling port.
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.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Wrong fuel during prior to flight defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid type
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Ground crew
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,869 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days; 4,003 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,966.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 5, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 6,748 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming IO-540 SER (piston); 1,576 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming IO-540 SER (piston); 1,576 hours total
- Operator: State Of Alaska
The flight
- Departed from: Aniak AK
- Destination: Soldotna AK
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 12,000 ft; a few clouds at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 11:56 pm
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on November 12, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 60 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Fuel Delivery Ticket | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.