While conducting company required periodic aircraft systems tests while in cruise; the Pilot of a BE99 inappropriately pulled both engine fire handles as directed by the company supplied checklist. Both engines flamed out and only the right engine restarted when he repositioned the fire handles. He secured the left engine; declared an emergency with ATC and diverted to a nearby non-towered airport where he landed safely.
Synopsis
While conducting company required periodic aircraft systems tests while in cruise; the Pilot of a BE99 inappropriately pulled both engine fire handles as directed by the company supplied checklist. Both engines flamed out and only the right engine restarted when he repositioned the fire handles. He secured the left engine; declared an emergency with ATC and diverted to a nearby non-towered airport where he landed safely.
Narrative
While enroute I started to perform my required 'Friday-checks' checklist; going through item by item. The checklist calls for a weekly fire-test. The first item is to pull both fire handles. As I pulled them I noticed a sudden loss of performance on both engines. My gauges indicated that both of them flamed out. I pushed the fire handles back and started to troubleshoot. I determined that my right engine was still operational. Meanwhile; the aircraft was losing altitude but it was under my control. I advised ATC about my situation and they told me there was an airport ten miles away along my route. I was familiar with it- an uncontrolled field by the highway. Being a new pilot on this airplane under these circumstances I decided the best course of action was to secure the inoperative engine and land as soon as possible. With my right engine operational I was able to stabilize the airplane and started a VFR descent. I completed my emergency checklist; then declared an emergency with ATC as a precaution and performed a safe single engine emergency landing on the airport. After securing the aircraft I contacted Flight SFervice and my company. As I mentioned I am a new pilot on this airplane; having just completed my upgrade training one week ago. During the flight training this part of the checklist was never mentioned and the checklist was not available in the training aircraft. On the checklist the fire test appears to be among the in-flight test items. This event was the result of me following the checklist that I believed I was supposed to perform. Had I received the proper training; I am sure this situation could have been avoided.
NASA callback
The reporter fleshed out some of the questionable details of the original report; particularly why he had performed the Fire Handle check while airborne. The primary additional factors were his recently completed training regimen and the fatiguing effects of scheduling practices at the company. The Reporter stated; his systems training had consisted of an 'eight hour firehose' indoctrination spaced over two days. He believed; however; that his systems knowledge was adequate and he had passed his oral with no problems. He again mentioned that the 'Friday checks' checklist had not been on board during his flight training and his Check Airman had done them 'by memory' and had failed to include the Fire Handle test. He reiterated the confusing aspects of the checklist as to when the Fire Handle test was to be performed and commented that the checklist is being revised; in part because of his event. He believed he would not have made the fundamental error of checking fire handles in flight had he not been fatigued by repeated early morning get ups and confused by his first ever exposure to the checklist itself. Ultimately; he decided not to attempt a restart and continue the flight inasmuch as--due his lack of experience in the aircraft; his fatigue; the demands of the solo nature of the operation combined with the trauma of his situation--he was sure he had 'already lost [his] job' and wanted to just get back on the ground safely.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.