Dual engine failure and water impact during cargo flight

1 fatality • Miami, United States of America • Flight

A cargo flight experienced a series of engine malfunctions during its return leg, leading to a loss of power in both engines and a subsequent impact with the ocean.

What happened

During the initial cargo leg of the day, the crew identified a malfunction involving the left engine propeller control. The captain decided to attempt a reset of the control mechanism before the scheduled return flight, with the intention of contacting maintenance if the issue persisted. Upon preparing for the return journey, the engines were started and both propellers were cycled successfully. The crew managed to reset the left propeller control, and the flight proceeded with the first officer acting as the pilot flying.

While climbing through 4,000 feet, the left engine propeller control failed again, leaving the power fixed at 2,400 rpm. During an attempt to rectify the situation, the captain accidentally increased the power to 2,700 rpm. The captain then assumed control of the aircraft to stabilize engine power. After leveling the aircraft at 4,5 and canceling the instrument flight rules flight plan, the captain chose to proceed toward the destination airport under visual flight rules, despite a suggestion from the first officer to return to the departure airport. The destination was approximately 160 nautical miles away.

As the aircraft began a descent to 1,500 feet, the right engine experienced surging and a loss of power. The crew executed the engine failure checklist, resulting in the captain feathering the propeller and shutting down the right engine. Shortly after this procedure, the left engine also began to surge and lose power. The captain instructed the first officer to declare an emergency. The aircraft continued its descent and struck the water with significant force approximately 32 miles east of the destination airport. The impact resulted in two fatalities as the captain became unresponsive and the first officer was unable to extract him from the cockpit. The first officer escaped through a breach in the tail section using a life raft as the cockpit flooded.

Findings

Because the aircraft was not recovered from the ocean, a physical examination of the engines to determine the exact cause of the failures was impossible. However, the operator noted that the crew failed to divert to the nearest airport immediately following the first mechanical malfunction with the left engine propeller control.

Probable cause

The crew continued the flight toward the destination instead of diverting to the nearest airport after the initial propeller control malfunction occurred.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2019-02-08 Convair C-131 Samaritan accident near Miami, United States of America?

A cargo flight experienced a series of engine malfunctions during its return leg, leading to a loss of power in both engines and a subsequent impact with the ocean.

Were there any fatalities in the 2019-02-08 Convair C-131 Samaritan accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2019-02-08 involved a Convair C-131 Samaritan, registration N145GT, operated by Conquest Air Cargo, at Miami, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?