The bulletin
Text extracted from the PDF.
SPECIAL
AIRWORTHINESS
INFORMATION
BULLETIN
AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION SERVICE 800 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, S.W.
WASHINGTON, DC 20591
U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration No. ACE-96-06 October 1, 1996
Published by: FAA, AFS-610, P.O. Box 26460, Oklahoma City, OK 73125 This is issued for informational purposes only and any recommendation for corrective action is not mandatory.
INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin is to advise owners and operators of Fairchild (Swearingen) models SA26T/AT airplanes of the need to review the information in the Fairchild SA26T/AT Maintenance Manual, Fuel Quantity System, Maintenance Practices.
BACKGROUND:
A Fairchild (Swearingen) Model SA26AT airplane cr ashed while attempting to land. The pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. There was no evidence of fire, and the first responders to the crash did not observe fuel or detect fuel odor at the accident site.
The investigation revealed that the left wing fuel tank was empty, and only a minimal amount of fuel remained in the right wing tank. The Nationa l Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that the left engine had lost power on final approach because of fuel starvation. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane with known deficiencies in the fuel quantity measuring system which resulted in a power loss due to fuel starvation, followed by improper emergency pro cedures which resulted in a loss of control.
Factors were the lack of a requirement for peri odic recalibration of the fuel quantity measuring system.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that all owners/operators of Fairchild Models SA26T/AT airplanes inspect /review the calibration of the airplane fuel measuring system and conduct any repairs and calibration as required using the procedures ou tlined in the Fairchild SA26T/AT Maintenance Manuals.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alma Ramirez-Hodge, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Airplane Certification Office (ASW-150), 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone (817) 222-5147; facsimile
(817) 222-5960.