LONDON, KY, USA
N303MC
Cessna 425
THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS CRUISING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 18,000 FEET 30 MINUTES AFTER REFUELING WHEN THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER. HE STATED THAT HE WAS IN RADIO CONTACT WITH INDIANAPOLIS AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER SO HE ADVISED THEM OF THE SITUATION AND REQUESTED A LOWER ALTITUDE. THE CENTER CLEARED THE FLIGHT TO 10,000 FEET MSL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENGINE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT ENGINE LOST POWER. ACCORDING TO THE CONTROLLER AT THE CENTER, THE PILOT WAS NINE MILES FROM THE NEAREST AIRPORT AND HE PROVIDED THE PILOT WITH RADAR VECTORS TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT, AND THE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN A WOODED AREA. THE FAA EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE ENGINES WERE REMOVED TO PRATT & WHITNEY FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION. THE EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND ENGINE ACCESSORIES DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY PRE-EXISTING DEFECTS. FUEL SAMPLES WERE REMOVED AND TESTED AT THE LABORATORY AT PRATT & WHITNEY. THE TESTS REVEALED EVIDENCE OF CONTAMINANTS.
On Tuesday, January 18, 1994, at 1750 eastern standard time, a Cessna 425, N303MC, collided with trees while on final approach during a power-off forced landing at London, Kentucky. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was operated by Conquest Charter, Incorporated of Dallas Texas. The personal flight was operated under 14 CFR 91 and originated in Charleston, West Virginia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an Instrument Flight Rules flight plan was filed. The destination was Dallas, Texas. The pilot reported that 30 minutes after refueling the airplane, the flight was cruising at 18,000 feet MSL when the left engine lost power. He stated that he was in contact with Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center so he requested and received a clearance to 10,000 feet MSL in order to attempt an airstart. His attempt to airstart was unsuccessful. The Indianpolis controller reported that the pilot first radioed that, "...he was losing an engine" nine miles east of the London VOR. The pilot stated that shortly thereafter the right engine lost power. He stated that he requested and received vectors to the nearest airport; however, due to the icy surface and reported poor braking action of the runway, he elected to land in a wooded area two miles northeast of the airport. The aircraft was examined at the accident site by representatives of Cessna Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney under the supervision of the Laural County Sheriff's Office. The examination included examining the fuel system and confirming the fuel selector valve of both engines. The fuel filters for both engines were also removed. The fuel selector valves for the left and right engines were positioned on the main tanks. The contents of the fuel filters were collected in a clean glass jar for each filter. Samples of fuel from the left and right tanks were also collected in clean glass jars. The samples were sent to Pratt & Whittney of Canada for further analysis. The tests revealed evidence of contaminants. A copy of the analysis is attached to this report. The engine was examined at the accident site by a representative of Pratt & Whitney under the supervision of a representative selected by the FAA. The examination did not disclose any evidence of mechanical malfunction. Due to the unavailability of tools at the accident site, the engines were removed from the aircraft and shipped to Pratt & Whitney of Canada for further examination. The examination of the engine and the engine hardware was completed on the 15th and 16th of March. The examinaton did not disclose evidence of anomalies that would have precluded operation. A copy of the examination is attached to this report.
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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