What happened
On August 13, 2004, an Air Tahoma, Inc. cargo flight, operating as a DHL Express service, was performing a flight from Memphis, Tennessee, to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The aircraft, a Convair 580 with registration N586P, was on an instrument flight rules flight plan under visual meteorological conditions. During the flight, the captain spent time reviewing weight and balance documentation and fuel levels.
As the aircraft approached runway 36R, the flying pilot, the first officer, began reporting unusual handling characteristics. He noted that the control wheel required significant physical force and felt as though the aircraft was pulling to the right. While the captain acknowledged the flight was cleared for a visual approach, the first officer continued to express concern regarding the aircraft's behavior. Shortly after receiving landing clearance from the tower, the aircraft's airspeed began to drop significantly.
The crew then experienced a critical situation involving engine performance. The first officer noted a sensation of the aircraft swinging and expressed fear of an engine flameout. The captain identified that a crossfeed valve had been left open, creating an imbalance. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft experienced a loss of power in both engines, accompanied by a momentary interruption in electrical power. The aircraft's descent rate increased to approximately 900 feet per minute. The captain notified air traffic control that the plane was experiencing engine problems, but the aircraft crashed approximately 1.2 miles short of the runway. The accident resulted in one fatality (the first officer) and one injury (the captain).
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a loss of power in both engines following the identification of a fuel imbalance caused by an open crossfeed valve.