Accident Overview
On July 16, 2024, about 0932 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 402B, registration N7875E, was substantially damaged when it crashed into the Tred Avon River near Easton, Maryland. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 repositioning flight.
Pre-Flight Events
According to the operator, the flight's purpose was to reposition the airplane to Easton Airport (ESN), Easton, Maryland, for future atmospheric testing flights. Two days before the accident, maintenance personnel performed ground engine runs following an annual inspection. After these runs, the pilot told his manager that 12 gallons of fuel remained in each main (tip) fuel tank and planned to add 20 additional gallons to each main fuel tank to avoid switching tanks during the upcoming flight. However, airport security video showed the pilot added 20 gallons to each auxiliary fuel tank instead of the main tanks. The airplane was not flown between that fueling and the accident flight.
Flight Sequence
The flight departed Tipton Airport (FME), Fort Meade, Maryland, at 0857. It proceeded uneventfully towards Easton. About 0928, the pilot contacted the ESN air traffic control tower, reporting a "pretty significant engine problem." At that time, the airplane was about 12 miles southwest of ESN. The controller instructed the pilot to enter a right base leg of the airport traffic pattern for runway 15 and report a 2-mile right base leg.
About one minute later, the pilot reported the airplane at 2,400 ft mean sea level, setting up for a right base leg with a "pretty bad right engine." Approximately 30 seconds later, the pilot declared an emergency, stating both engines were losing power. The controller cleared the airplane to land on runway 15 via any approach direction, but the pilot replied he would not reach the airport and would attempt a field landing. The airplane subsequently impacted the Tred Avon River about 4 miles southwest of ESN.
Wreckage Examination
The left wing, including the left engine, separated about 1 foot outboard of the wing root and was not located. The remaining wreckage remained intact and was examined at a recovery facility. The cockpit remained intact; the pilot's seat lapbelt and shoulder harness remained attached and were unfastened. The left engine controls were in the full forward position, and the right engine controls were between mid-range and full forward. The right fuel selector handle was in the auxiliary fuel tank position, and the left engine fuel selector handle was in the crossfeed position. The flap handle was set to 15° (approach flaps), and the landing gear was extended. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit controls to the elevator, elevator trim, rudder, and rudder trim. Aileron control continuity for both wings was confirmed from the yoke to the nacelle area. Both right wing fuel tanks were breached during impact.
Engine Examination
The bottom spark plugs were removed from the right engine, and the propeller was rotated by hand. The spark plug electrodes were intact but exhibited some corrosion consistent with water immersion. Water emanated from the spark plug holes during rotation. Crankshaft, camshaft, and valve train continuity were confirmed to the rear accessory section of the engine. Both magnetos sparked at all leads when bench tested. The unmetered fuel line, from the engine-driven fuel pump to the fuel metering valve, contained about half an ounce of fuel. The fuel was blue, clear, and absent of visible contamination. A few drops of fuel were recovered in the engine-driven fuel pump and in the screen at the metering valve, but in total, less than one ounce of fuel was recovered from the right engine and its fuel system. The fuel nozzles, fuel manifold screen, and oil filter screen were absent of contamination.
Pilot Information
The pilot's most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on March 27, 2024. At that time, he reported a total flight experience of 4,100 hours, with 0 hours accrued during the preceding 6 months.