Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Hampton, Georgia
Accident Number: ERA20CA176
Date & Time: May 9, 2020, 15:13 Local
Registration: N4661N
Aircraft: Cessna 402
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel exhaustion Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation
Analysis
According the commercial pilot and a flight instructor rated check pilot, they were conducting their first long-duration, aerial observation flight in the multiengine airplane, which was recently acquired by the operator. They departed with full fuel tanks, competed the 5-hour aerial observation portion of the flight, and began to return to the destination airport. About 15 miles from the airport, the left engine fuel warning light illuminated. Within a few seconds, the right engine stopped producing power. They attempted to restart the engine and turned the airplane toward an alternate airport that was closer. The pilots then turned on the electric fuel pump, the right engine began surging, and soon after the left engine stopped producing power. They turned both electric fuel pumps to the low setting, both engines continued to surge, and the pilots continued toward the alternate airport. When they were about 3 miles from the airport, both engines lost total power, and they elected to land on a highway. When they were a few feet above the ground, power returned briefly to the left engine, which resulted in the airplane climbing and beginning to roll. The commercial pilot pulled the yoke aft to avoid a highway sign, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, and subsequent impact with trees and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Although both pilots reported the fuel gauges indicated 20 gallons of fuel remaining on each side when the engines stopped producing power, the flight instructor noted that there was no fuel in the airplane at the time of the accident. In addition, according to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site, both fuel tanks were breached and there was no evidence of fuel spillage.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A dual total loss of engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion.
Findings
Aircraft Fuel - Fluid management
Factual Information
History of Flight
Enroute Fuel exhaustion
Emergency descent Fuel exhaustion (Defining event)
Landing-flare/touchdown Abrupt maneuver
Landing-flare/touchdown Collision during takeoff/land
Flight instructor Information
Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor
Age: 70,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Airplane single-engine; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: July 1, 2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: December 18, 2019
Flight Time: 7330 hours (Total, all aircraft), 11 hours (Total, this make and model), 7300 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 75 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 22 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial; Private
Age: 26, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: August 27, 2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: September 10, 2018
Flight Time: 1096 hours (Total, all aircraft), 5.9 hours (Total, this make and model), 934.2 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 272.7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 23.3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5.9 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N4661N
Model/Series: 402 C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1978
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 402C0019
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 3
Date/Type of Last Inspection: February 27, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 6850 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 17081 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: TSIO-520 SER
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 325 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: HMP,882 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 15:15 Local
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 320°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.21 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / -1°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Atlanta, GA (FFC)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Atlanta, GA (FFC)
Type of Clearance: VFR flight following
Departure Time: 09:21 Local
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: Henry County Airport HMP
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 882 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 24
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5500 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 33.375831,-84.297225 (est)
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