Incident Overview
After making a refueling stop, a pilot took off at night and was cruising at Flight Level 200. About 30 minutes into the flight, the right engine fuel filter bypass warning light illuminated. Approximately two minutes later, the same warning light for the left engine illuminated. Soon thereafter, the right engine lost power, followed by the left engine. The pilot executed a forced landing on a moving ice pack in the Bering Sea, which resulted in substantial damage.
Flight Details
The flight was conducted at night after a refueling stop. The fuel at the refueling stop was not premixed with an ice inhibitor. The flight manual required that an approved ice inhibitor be added to the fuel if not premixed. The pilot had no icing inhibitor (Prist) with him on this flight. During preflight, the pilot did not drain fuel from the tanks because the temperature was so cold he feared the drain might freeze open.
Fuel Contamination Findings
Investigation revealed ice in the engine and main fuel screens. Significant amounts of water and/or ice were found in three tanks that had been refueled before takeoff. Additionally, a higher than normal amount of water was found in the fuel sample taken from the nozzle of the refueling tanker.