Accident Number: CEN20LA149
Date & Time: 04/13/2020, 1955 CDT
Registration: N98649
Aircraft: Cessna 402
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled
On April 13, 2020, a Cessna 402B, N98649, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Kirksville Municipal Airport (IRK), Kirksville, Missouri. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand cargo flight.
The pilot reported that he was taking off and everything appeared normal until shortly after the airplane lifted off, and the pilot established a positive rate of climb and initiated the retraction of the landing gear. He said that as the landing gear retracted there was a substantial loss in engine power that resulted in an inability to maintain a positive rate of climb. He did not recall looking at the engine instruments and could not verify if there was a loss of power in a single engine or both engines. The pilot said he retarded the throttles and landed on the remaining runway without extending the landing gear, resulting in substantial damage to the rear spar caps. He said that he did not feather the propellers. He said he "shut down all systems and exited the plane" after it came to a stop.
The pilot stated that the airplane was refueled the day of the accident; he had sumped the fuel system during his preflight inspection and found no contaminants. The fuel capacity was 163 gallons without the locker fuel tanks refueled, which were not used according to the pilot. The operator and pilot both reported that there were 163 gallons of fuel onboard the airplane. The pilot took off with the main fuel tanks selected.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector conducted an examination of the airplane with the assistance of an aircraft mechanic. Both the left and right engine propellers were found in a partially feathered state as the airplane rested on the runway and both fuel selector valves were found in the off position. The fuel selectors had positive detents at each commanded tank position.
The right and left fuel selector sump bowls were removed and samples of liquid consistent with aviation fuel was recovered. The samples from both sump bowls contained a small amount of brownish liquid consistent with water. A small amount of liquid consistent with water was also found in a fuel sample from the left auxiliary fuel tank sump. No water was found in the remainder of the fuel system.
Compression and continuity of both engines was verified by removing a spark plug from each cylinder and rotating the propeller through the compression stroke while covering the spark plug holes. Each magneto was examined and verified to produce proper spark. Throttle, mixture, and propeller controls were verified to move freely and properly. The fuel line was removed from the fuel spider and the electric fuel pump operation was verified at both the Hi and Low positions for both engines, and the fuel line was reconnected.
Engine runs were subsequently completed on both the left and right engines under the supervision of an FAA inspector using a substitute propeller. Both engines were started and ran to full power utilizing the airplane's systems and fuel from the airplane's main fuel tanks, which was the same fuel onboard the airplane at the time of the accident. Both propellers cycled normally during the preflight routine and no anomalies were noted during either engine run.
The pilot's operating handbook states "To feather the propeller blades, the propeller control levers on the control pedestal must be placed in the feather position."
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 25, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/25/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 1461 hours (Total, all aircraft), 266 hours (Total, this make and model), 1392 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 122 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 42 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N98649
Model/Series: 402 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1977
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 402B1052
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/11/2020, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 6301 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 38 Hours
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 12056 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: TSIO-520 SER
Registered Owner: Air Exec Inc
Rated Power: 300 hp
Operator: Air Exec Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KIRK
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1955 CDT
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 270°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.15 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 3°C / -8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Kirksville, MO (IRK)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: St Louis, MO (STL)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 2007 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: Kirksville Rgnl (IRK)
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 966 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6005 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 40.088056, -92.54444 (est)
