Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 400 near Eastland, TX — 2011-08-14

Final reportCEN11LA577
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Date
2011-08-14
Location
Eastland, TX, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 400
Registration
N2515G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. .

NTSB narrative

The pilot said the right fuel pump FUEL annunciator light flickered and then fully illuminated on takeoff, but the engine continued to operate. Since there were no other indications of a fuel pump failure, and the BACKUP fuel pump was ARMED, he continued with the flight. The pilot stated that, after a few miles, he “didn’t like the way [the engine] was running” so he initiated a turn back to the airport, during which the engine stopped producing power. The pilot turned on the vapor supression switch and then depressed the primer switch in an attempt to restart the engine. He was unable to maintain altitude and made a forced landing to a small clearing. Engine data downloaded from the Avidyne multifunction display indicated that the engine was operating during the 6 minute flight, but the exhaust gas temperature and turbine inlet temperature went to zero, but the fuel flow, rpm, cylinder head temperature, and manifold pressure did not. A functional test of the BACKUP fuel pump, FUEL annunciator light, latching relay and vapor suppression system revealed no anomalies. When the engine was test run, it started immediately and ran through its full power band without interruption. The engine-driven fuel pump, throttle body, fuel distribution valve, and the injectors were removed from the engine and bench tested. Each of the components passed their functional test criteria. The cause of the reported loss of power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have aborted takeoff after FUEL light flickered.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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