Pilot Debrief

Cessna 402 near Kirksville, MO — 2020-04-14

Final reportCEN20LA149
Sign in to save
Date
2020-04-14
Location
Kirksville, MO, USA
Airport
IRK
Aircraft
Cessna 402
Registration
N98649
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had just taken off and retracted the landing gear when the airplane experienced a substantial loss in engine power. He retarded the throttles to idle and landed the airplane on the remaining runway without lowering the landing gear, resulting in substantial damage to the rear spar caps. Both propellers were found in a feathered position although the pilot said he did not feather them. It is unlikely that the propellers feathered on their own, as the propeller control levers must be placed in the feathered position to feather them; however it could not be determined when the propellers were feathered. Postaccident examination revealed a small amount of water in the fuel selector sump bowl and left auxiliary tank sump bowls but not elsewhere in the fuel system. Thus, it is unlikely that the water found would have affected the performance of the engine. Subsequent engine runs on each engine using the same fuel that was onboard the airplane at the time of the accident revealed no anomalies and normal propellers cycles. No reason for a partial loss of engine power on either or both engines could be determined based on available evidence.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not verify engine instruments during takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

Related mishaps