- Date
- June 19, 1992, 14:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place
- Meadview, AZ
- Injuries
- 10 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N2715XCessna 402C
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 3, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Major Investigations Division
- Safety recommendations
- Yes
- FAA report
- 19920619021309A
- Case key
- 15956
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot to follow the emergency procedure (engine failure after takeoff) and his failure to maintain minimum control speed (VMC), which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors related to the accident were failure (disengagement) of the right engine fuel pump drive coupling, high density altitude, and the lack of company training concerning aircraft performance in conditions of high density altitude and heavy gross weight.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
Plt began takeoff on a 5200-FT dirt rwy (upslope to the south, elev 4775 ft) with wind from the south at 18-20 KTS, density alt about 7250 ft. witnesses observed the acft taking off, with the landing gear retracting as it passed their psn. Soon thereafter, the plt transmitted he had 'a problem.' Acft was then seen about 200-300 ft AGL in right turn, which progressed into a dive. Acft impacted in flat attitude 1/2 mi south of rwy 17. Psgr video tapes revealed props went out of sync about 6 sec ater takeoff. About 15 sec later, right prop slowed until blades could be seen turning. Video showed one eng fuel flow at about 90 gph, otr eng at min setting (abt 3 PSI), 5 deg increase in pitch attitude. Exam revealed rgt eng driven fuel pump drive coupling was scored and only partially engaged. Sb ME88 3 complied with; aux fuel pump sws found in low psn. Rgt prop blades fnd at fine pitch, lacking rotational dmg. Lndg gear fnd up, but unlocked; flaps extdd 15 deg. Emerg proc trng did not replicate hi density alt and max gross weight performance.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2715X
- Reported as
- Cessna 402C
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 402C0215
- Airframe hours
- 9,266
- Engine
- Continental TSIO-520-VB, 325 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Part 135
- Operator
- Adventure Airlines
- Registered owner
- Adventure Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- AAIP · May 29, 1992 · 50 hours before
- Departed
- AZ38
- Destination
- LAS · Las Vegas, NV
- Flight plan
- Company VFR
- Airport
- AZ38 · Grand Canyon West, runway 17, 5,200 × 100 ft, dirt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 61
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 7,891 total · 2,030 in this make and model · 7,684 as pilot in command · 171 in the last 90 days · 31 in the last 30 days · 6 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 170° at 18 knots
- Visibility
- 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 97 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.