What happened
On July 16, 2024, a Cessna 402B, registration N7875E, was involved in an accident near Easton, Maryland, resulting in 1 fatal injury.
The flight was a repositioning mission operated under Part 91, intended to move the aircraft to Easton Airport (ESN) for future atmospheric testing. The flight departed Tipton Airport (FME) at 0857. While en route to ESN, the pilot contacted air traffic control at 0928 to report a significant engine problem. Shortly after, the pilot reported that the right engine was performing poorly at 2,400 feet mean sea level. Within 30 seconds, the pilot declared an emergency, stating that both engines were losing power. The pilot informed the controller that the aircraft would not reach the airport and would attempt to land in a field. The aircraft subsequently impacted the Tred Avon River approximately 4 miles southwest of ESN.
The investigation
Post-impact examination of the wreckage revealed that the left wing and left engine had separated from the aircraft. The cockpit remained intact, though the pilot's seat harness was unfastened. The landing gear was in the extended position, and flaps were set to 15 degrees.
Investigation of the right engine's fuel system found that the right fuel selector handle was set to the auxiliary fuel tank position. While the fuel in the unmetered fuel line was clear and uncontaminated, less than 1 ounce of fuel was recovered from the right engine and its fuel system. Additionally, airport security footage indicated that prior to the flight, the pilot added 20 gallons of fuel to the auxiliary tanks rather than the main tanks, despite a stated intention to fill the main tanks to avoid switching fuel sources during flight.