Beaver DHC-2
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Sea; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 7500; Flight Crew Type 3000
Confusion; Other / Unknown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
I left the dock to taxi to the north end of the lake for takeoff in to the wind; which was 15-25 KTS out of the south. The taxi took approximately 15 minutes. I turned around to takeoff; and the engine quit. It would not restart. Some Good Samaritan's came out to help when they saw the aircraft drifting quickly towards obstacles. Harbor Patrol also came out to help. I had my one and only passenger don a life vest and get into the Good Samaritan's boat. The two vessels were able to secure to both pontoons; and towed me without incident back to the dock. Upon further investigation; it came to light that I had incorrectly put Jet-A fuel in the piston aircraft. This is what caused the engine to quit.
DHC2 pilot reports engine stoppage during taxi out for takeoff and the inability to get it restarted. The Harbor Patrol and a good Samaritan render assistance. Post flight revealed that the reporter had fueled his aircraft with Jet-A.