Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 404 near Ponce, PR — 2010-04-07

Final reportERA10TA215
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Date
2010-04-07
Location
Ponce, PR, USA
Airport
TJPS
Aircraft
CESSNA 404
Registration
N6035
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A loss of power to the right engine for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

Shortly after takeoff, about 200 feet above ground level, the right engine surged and lost power, accompanied by the sound of an explosion. The pilot feathered the right propeller and advanced the throttle on the left engine. The pilot attempted to continue the climb; however, the airplane began to lose altitude. The pilot elected to land straight ahead in a grassy area beyond the departure end of the runway. The airplane touched down past the runway end and collided with a perimeter fence, resulting in structural damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed that there was adequate fuel on board for the flight. The engines were removed and disassembled and the engine components were tested; no anomalies were found.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after engine surge at 200 feet AGL.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents11

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