On January 1, 1986, a Cessna 402C (registration N2404U) operated by Trans Air Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The fuel pressure switch shorted out, causing the high fuel boost pump to come on during normal engine operation, creating too high a fuel pressure and flooding out the engine. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After a touch-and-go landing, a right engine lost power, causing the aircraft to drift right. The pilot performed a gear-up landing in grass beside the runway. Investigation found a shorted fuel pressure switch led to engine flooding.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported an engine power loss during a touch-and-go landing procedure. After the third takeoff in a sequence, the right engine lost power, and the aircraft began to drift to the right. The pilot reduced power and executed a gear-up landing in the grass on the right side of Runway 08.
Post-Crash Examination
Following the incident, examination of the right engine revealed that the fuel pressure switch had shorted out. This caused the high fuel boost pump to activate during normal engine operation, resulting in excessively high fuel pressure. The high pressure flooded the engine, leading to the power loss.
Findings
The investigation identified the shorted fuel pressure switch as the root cause of the engine failure. No other contributing factors were reported.
Probable cause
The fuel pressure switch shorted out, causing the high fuel boost pump to come on during normal engine operation, creating too high a fuel pressure and flooding out the engine.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 1 Jan 1986 Cessna 402C accident near Ft. Lauderdale, FL?
After a touch-and-go landing, a right engine lost power, causing the aircraft to drift right. The pilot performed a gear-up landing in grass beside the runway. Investigation found a shorted fuel pressure switch led to engine flooding.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 1 Jan 1986 involved a Cessna 402C, registration N2404U, operated by Trans Air Inc., at Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The fuel pressure switch shorted out, causing the high fuel boost pump to come on during normal engine operation, creating too high a fuel pressure and flooding out the engine.
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