Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 414A near Ashland, MO — 2014-01-23

Final reportCEN14LA120
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Date
2014-01-23
Location
Ashland, MO, USA
Airport
COU
Aircraft
CESSNA 414A
Registration
N414CJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The in-flight failure of both engines due to water contamination.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the descent to the destination airport, the airplane's left engine experienced a partial loss of power and that he attempted to troubleshoot the issue. Unable to restore the engine power, he secured the left engine, feathered the propeller, and advised air traffic control of the situation. Shortly after, the right engine experienced a partial loss of power and eventually only produced idle power. Unable to reach the destination airport, the pilot conducted a forced landing to a field. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed ice buildup in the fuel manifold valves, the fuel strainer bowls, and the fuel strainer screens. The left fuel strainer bowl contained a 1 3/8-inch thick piece of ice. Fuel samples from both of the airplane's fuel tanks and from the fuel supplier at the airport used to the fuel the airplane earlier in the day were tested, and no water contamination was found; the source of the water contamination could not be determined. It is likely that the loss of engine power resulted from water contamination and subsequent ice buildup in the fuel system.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Conducting a thorough preflight inspection for ice contamination.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents11

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