Pilot Debrief

AERO COMMANDER 560E near Jacksonville, FL — 2010-08-31

Final reportERA10LA457
Sign in to save
Date
2010-08-31
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
Airport
HEG
Aircraft
AERO COMMANDER 560E
Registration
N175SP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of power in both engines during climb due to fuel contamination.

NTSB narrative

The multi-engine airplane was being flown to an airport about 15 miles from the departure airport for avionics maintenance. The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection, which included checking the fuel tanks for water contamination. After a normal takeoff, the airplane was in a climb between 1,500 and 2,000 feet mean sea level when the left engine surged and lost all power. Shortly thereafter, the right engine began to surge and also lost all power. The airplane was substantially damaged when it struck trees during an ensuing forced landing to an interstate. Examination of the airframe and both engines did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. A 1.5-gallon fuel sample drained from the airplane's fuel tanks contained about 2 cups of water. The airplane had been operated for about 24 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 6 weeks prior to the accident. The accident flight was the first flight after the airplane had been refueled, but only partially, about 3 weeks earlier.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel quality more thoroughly before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

Related mishaps