Event Overview
A pilot on a repositioning flight to Tampa, Florida, reported a sudden engine failure while cruising at 11,000 feet above mean sea level (msl). The engine indications dropped to zero instantly, with no prior warning or spool-down time.
Emergency Response
The pilot declared an emergency to air traffic control and was informed that the nearest airport was 29 miles away. After maneuvering toward the airport and performing engine failure procedures, attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot configured the aircraft for best glide speed.
Forced Landing
The aircraft glided for 22 miles, descending to approximately 300 feet msl. At that altitude, the pilot slowed the aircraft to just above stall speed before impacting small pine trees. The pilot pulled back on the yoke, stalling the aircraft into the trees.
Engine Examination
The engine was examined at Pratt & Whitney of Canada with oversight from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. Investigators found that the compressor turbine blades were fractured at varying heights from the roots to approximately half of the span. Materials analysis showed impact damage and overheating on the fractured blades. However, the primary cause of the blade fractures could not be determined. No other pre-impact anomalies or operational dysfunction were observed in the engine components. Impact damage to the blade airfoils precluded determination of the original fracture mechanism.