# NTSB MIA89LA218: Cessna 402C, N5851C, Fort Lauderdale, FL, August 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1989, 12:27 local (16:27 UTC)
- Place: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Coordinates: 26.089956, -80.150192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0900&lon=-80.1502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32478
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32478/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA218

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO POSITION THE AUXILIARY PUMP TO LOW FOR TAKEOFF, COMPUNDED BY IMPROPER PROCUDERES USED DURING THE RESULTANT IN-FLIGHT EMERGENCY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - fuel boost pump selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - 1 engine
  - fuel boost pump selector position - improper, pilot in command
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT WAS ADVISED BY TWR PERSONNEL THAT BOTH ENG'S WERE TRAILING SMOKE. A WITNESS DESCRIBED THE SMOKE OR VAPOR AS BLACK IN COLOR. THIS IS INDICATIVE OF A RICH MIXTURE. THE PLT THEN REPORTED THAT THE RT ENG LOST POWER & ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. HE THEN SECURED THE ENG & RETURNED TO LAND. AFTER TURNING BASE & LOWERING 15 DEG FLAPS & THE LANDING GEAR, HE REPORTED THE LT ENG LOST POWER. DURING THE DESCENT THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A CANAL SHORT OF THE RWY. THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED & BOTH ENG'S RAN & OPERATED NORMALLY. THE RT ENG AUX PUMP OPS CHECKED GOOD. THE LT ENG AUX PUMP WAS INOP DUE TO IMPACT DAMAGE. THE PLT STATED THE AUX PUMPS WERE OFF DURING TAKEOFF. ACCORDING TO THE FLT MANUAL. THE PUMPS SHOULD BE POSITIONED TO LOW FOR TAKEOFF & VAPOR CLEARING, WHICH IS EVIDENCED BY A 'NERVOUS' FUEL FLOW NEEDLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5851C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5851C-1990-04-11), registration cancelled 1990-04-11, S/N 402C0053 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402C
- Registry model: [Cessna 402C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402c) (registry code 207590R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402C0053
- Airframe hours: 12986
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-VB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Jet Flite
- Registered owner: Jet Flite
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1989, 48 hours before
- Destination: MYBS, BIMINI, OF
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FLL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 5,759 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLL

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Accident 19890812028949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890812028949A), Aug 12, 1989: Cessna 402C, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Substantial damage. Lost right engine on climbout feathered returned and lost left engine,landed in a canal. Both engines trailing smoke

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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