Robinson R-22 MARINER accident near Mekoryuk, Alaska, June 4, 1996
On June 4, 1996, a Robinson R-22 MARINER (helicopter), registered N113CF, was destroyed in an accident near Mekoryuk, Alaska. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to fuel contamination found in the fuel supply and helicopter fuel system. Factors in the accident were the pilot's inadequate filtration (servicing of the helicopter) of the fuel supply, and the pilot's inadequate performance of emergency procedures.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 4, 1996
- Place
- Mekoryuk, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 MARINER R-22 MARIN · all R-22 MARINERs on the register
- Registration
- N113CF · no longer on the register · serial 1428M
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot had departed to pick up a company worker about 35 miles south of the departure point on a remote island. The wreckage was located the following day, partially submerged and floating in a small lake. The helicopter received damage consistent with a significant vertical descent onto the lake. The rotor system was undamaged. The wreckage examination revealed particulate contamination in the fuel system. The helicopter was routinely fueled from barrels and hand pumped through a water/separator type filter. Examination of the water separator revealed water and sediment in the filter bowl. A sample of fuel from the fuel barrel contained particulate contamination. Following the accident, the engine was removed and placed in a test stand where it was started. The engine produced full power until the left magneto failed internally due to corrosion from water immersion.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,412 hours in all; 35 in the last 90 days; 26 in the last 30 days; 1,257 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,094 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 13, 1996; 31 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MYU AK at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 3.5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 400 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 pm from MYU, 32 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.