# NTSB CHI93IA068: de Havilland DHC-8-102, N826MA, Detroit, MI, January 8, 1993

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1993, 12:03 local (17:03 UTC)
- Place: Detroit, MI
- Coordinates: 42.219768, -83.350975 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2198&lon=-83.3510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 9 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93IA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93IA068

## Probable cause

THE MANUFACTURER'S INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE FUEL TRANSFER TUBE SYSTEM, WHICH LOOSENED/DISCONNECTED DURING ENGINE OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,line - loose (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

AS THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED THROUGH ABOUT 200 FEET DURING DEPARTURE, THE LEFT ENGINE QUIT.  THE FLIGHT CREW PERFORMED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.  POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL TRANSFER TUBES LOOSENED AND SEPARATED FROM THEIR SLEEVES, WHICH ALLOWED FUEL TO BE DISCHARGED IN THE NACELLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N826MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N826MA-1999-01-08), registration cancelled 1999-01-08, S/N 330 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-8-102
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-8-102](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-8-102) (registry code 2809003) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 330
- Airframe hours: 987
- Engines: P&W PW120A 2000 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Mesaba Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Rainier Aircraft Leasing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 16, 1992, 128 hours before
- Departed: DTW
- Destination: ROA, ROANOKE, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DTW, Detroit Metropolitan

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,313 total, 193 in this make and model, 2,383 as pilot in command, 193 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DTW, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19930108002069I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930108002069I), Jan 8, 1993: Dhav DHC8102, Detroit, MI. NR1 engine lost power on climb. Returned. Found fuel transfer tube dislodged from fuel nozzle on NR1 engine.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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