# NTSB ERA12IA090: Cessna 402B, N303PJ, Nantucket, MA, November 29, 2011 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: November 29, 2011, 13:33 local (18:33 UTC) - Place: Nantucket, MA - Coordinates: 41.253055, -70.060279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2531&lon=-70.0603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82419 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12IA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82419/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82419 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12IA090 ## Probable cause The failure of the right main fuel tank transfer pump, which resulted in a total loss of engine power on the right engine during approach due to fuel starvation, and a subsequent hard landing. Contributing to the incident was the pilot's operation of the airplane with a low fuel quantity. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel pumps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 402B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md?model=207590P), [All aircraft, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 402B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=207590P), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Unknown: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Cessna 402B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=207590P), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 402B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=207590P), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370); cases with it: [Cessna 402B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=207590P), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 402B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=207590P), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The multi-engine airplane was approaching the destination airport with about 7 gallons of fuel remaining in each of the 50-gallon left and right main fuel tanks. While on short final approach to land, as the pilot fully extended the flaps, the airplane experienced a total loss of power on the right engine. The airplane touched down hard on a grassy area about 650 feet before the runway, bounced onto the runway, and came to rest. The pilot subsequently started both engines and taxied to the ramp area uneventfully. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main fuel tank fuel transfer pump was inoperative. The fuel transfer pump was designed to operate continuously when the battery switch was in the on position. The purpose of the fuel transfer pump was to transfer fuel from the nose section of its respective main fuel tank to the fuel pick-up area near the center of the main fuel tank, which permitted steep descents with low main tank fuel quantity. It could not be determined when the fuel transfer pump failed; however, confirming pump operations was a required preflight inspection item for each main fuel tank. ## Factual narrative On November 29, 2011, at 1333 eastern standard time, a Cessna 402B, N303PJ, operated by Nantucket Express, incurred minor damage while landing at Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK), Nantucket Massachusetts. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Norwood Memorial Airport (OWD), Norwood, Massachusetts, about 1300. The pilot reported that he was returning home, following a flight evaluation. While on a short final approach to runway 15, as he fully extended the flaps, the left engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot switched fuel tanks for the left engine; however, it did not restart and the airplane descended quickly. The airplane touched down on a grassy area about 650 feet prior to the runway. It then bounced onto the runway and came to rest. During the landing, the right propeller and left wing skin were damaged. The pilot subsequently started both engines and taxied to the ramp area uneventfully. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that there was approximately 7 gallons of fuel in the left main fuel tank. There was also about 7 gallons of fuel in the right main fuel tank and approximately 2 gallons of fuel in each auxiliary fuel tank. The fuel was sampled and no contamination was noted. Additionally, an examination of the left engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. The FAA inspector reported that the 50-gallon left and right main fuel tanks were each equipped with a fuel transfer pump, which pumped fuel from the front of its respective main fuel tank to the fuel pick-up near the center of the main fuel tank. The fuel transfer pumps were designed to operate continuously whenever the airplane battery switch was in the on position. During examination of the airplane, the FAA inspector noted that the left main fuel tank transfer pump was operating and the right main fuel tank transfer pump was not. During a telephone interview following the airplane examination, the pilot stated that the incident happened so fast and on such a short final approach, that he could not be certain which engine lost power. He added that it was quite possible the right engine experienced the loss of power. The pilot further stated that he moved the left engine fuel selector from left main to left auxiliary as he believed he had a left engine failure. Review of a pilot's operating handbook (POH) for the make and model airplane, section 4, Preflight Inspection, revealed, in part, "…Battery Switch – ON…Tip Tank Transfer Pump – LISTEN for operation…" with regards to the left and right main (tip) fuel tanks. Further review of the POH, section 7, Airplane and System Descriptions, revealed, in part, "…The transfer pump, mounted on the aft side of the main tank rear bulkhead, transfersfuel from the nose section of the main tank to the center sump area, where it is picked up and routed to the engine by the engine-driven or auxiliary fuel pump. The transfer pump permits steep descents with low main tank fuel quantity…" Review of FAA service difficulty reports for the make and model airplane revealed one other report of a fuel transfer pump failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N303PJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N303PJ-2017-09-07), registration cancelled 2017-09-07, S/N 402B1249 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 402B - Registry model: [Cessna 402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402b) (registry code 207590P) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402B1249 - Airframe hours: 4222 - Engines: Continental Motors TSIO-520B 285 horsepower reciprocating; Continental Motors TSIO-520B 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Nantucket Express LLC - Registered owner: Nantucket Express LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 22, 2011, 20 hours before - Departed: OWD, Norwood, MA - Destination: ACK, Nantucket, MA - Airport: ACK, Nantucket Memorial Airport, runway 15, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 29, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 35,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 32,000 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: ACK ## 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 20111129027149I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111129027149I), Nov 29, 2011: Cessna 402B, Nantucket, MA, Minor damage. Aircraft lost power on short final immediately after selecting final flaps. Aircraft struck ground 350 feet short of runway 15 in safety area.a call was placed… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 14, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82419. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 943 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363308&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363309&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Radar Plots (item 3, .PDF, 496 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363310&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Radar%20Plots-Master.PDF - Excerpts From Pilot's Operating Handbook (item 4, .PDF, 499 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363311&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20From%20Pilot%27s%20Operating%20Handbook-Master.PDF - FAA Service Difficulty Report (item 5, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Service%20Difficulty%20Report-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 6, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363313&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo: Right Engine Cowling (Courtesy of ACK Manager) (item 7, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363314&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20%20Right%20Engine%20Cowling%20(Courtesy%20of%20ACK%20Manager)-Master.PDF - Photo: Left Wing (Courtesy of ACK Manager) (item 8, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363315&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20%20Left%20Wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20ACK%20Manager)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.