Engine failure and fuel exhaustion during emergency landing approach

No fatalities • Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, United States of America • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft experienced a series of mechanical failures and engine outages during an emergency landing attempt, resulting in a forced landing near the runway.

What happened

During the approach phase for landing, the pilot observed that the right main landing gear failed to provide a down-and-locked indication. In response to this landing gear malfunction, the pilot initiated a go-around and entered the left closed traffic pattern to execute emergency extension procedures. After these attempts proved unsuccessful, the aircraft moved away from the airport toward offshore areas to reduce weight by burning off fuel prior to an intended emergency landing.

To assist with the situation, a company aircraft was sent to monitor the landing gear status. As the pilot began a straight-in approach approximately five miles from the airfield, the right engine began surging before eventually failing. Shortly thereafter, while one mile from the runway, the left engine also began surging. Despite an attempt to switch fuel tanks to restore power, the engine failed again. The pilot was forced to perform an emergency landing straight ahead, which resulted in a collision with the runway approach lights roughly 0.25 miles from the runway threshold. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries reported in this incident.

Findings

  • The pilot reported that the aircraft ran out of fuel during the final approach.

Probable cause

The aircraft suffered total engine failure due to fuel exhaustion during an emergency approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1997-11-02 Cessna 402 accident near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, United States of America?

An aircraft experienced a series of mechanical failures and engine outages during an emergency landing attempt, resulting in a forced landing near the runway.

Were there any fatalities in the 1997-11-02 Cessna 402 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1997-11-02 involved a Cessna 402, registration N69312, operated by Air Flight, at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft suffered total engine failure due to fuel exhaustion during an emergency approach.

Loading the flight search…