Summary
On February 14, 2017, at about 1145 central standard time, a Beech C90A twin-engine airplane, registered N1551C, sustained substantial damage during a precautionary landing following a loss of power on one engine near Rattan, Oklahoma. The pilot and two medical crew members were not injured. The aircraft was operated by EagleMed LLC under Part 135 air medical flight.
Flight Details
The pilot reported normal engine start and power-up. Engine ice vanes were lowered and de-icing system activated for ground operations; ice vanes were raised before takeoff. Takeoff and climb were routine, leveling off at 7,000 feet mean sea level. Air traffic control advised of heavy rain showers near the destination, and the pilot lowered the ice vanes. Shortly after, the aircraft experienced two quick electrical power fluctuations, then a total electrical system failure. With loss of navigation in instrument meteorological conditions, the pilot set a general course toward better weather based on the preflight briefing.
Emergency and Landing
While attempting to find a visual descent point, the left engine lost power. The pilot located a field through cloud cover and executed a single-engine precautionary landing. During landing, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right engine mount and firewall.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination revealed that the left propeller blades were bent aft without curling; right propeller blades curled in the direction of rotation. No visible fuel remained in the left and right wing fuel tanks or the left nacelle tank; the right nacelle tank contained about one quart of fuel. Cockpit switches: Ignition and Engine Start/Starter switches in ON; Engine Anti-Ice switches ON; cabin medical bed electrical switches for inverter and accessories ON, others OFF. No anomalies consistent with an inflight electrical malfunction were observed. The battery initially read 10.7 volts, then after charging functioned normally.
The operator reported 253 gallons (1,720 lbs) of fuel at takeoff and gross weight 7,838 lbs. Flight duration was 3.65 hours. Performance data: at max cruise power, expected fuel flow 632 lbs/hr (endurance 2.7 hrs); at max range power, 406 lbs/hr (endurance 4.2 hrs).
Crew Coordination
Both pilot and medical crew noted a lack of communication and coordination. The medical crew became apprehensive as the emergency unfolded. On three occasions while the pilot maneuvered to find a cloud hole, the medical crew member in the co-pilot seat grabbed the control wheel, resisting bank. The medical crew attempted to use cellphones to coordinate with the operations center and for GPS, but these efforts led to multiple course adjustments and did not achieve visual conditions before fuel exhaustion on the left engine.