Wed, Mar 23, 2005
Fuel Pump Seized Up, Aircraft Failed To Make Runway
The Australian Transportation Safety
Board said an engine-driven fuel pump aboard a Cessna 404 failed
shortly after the aircraft took off from Perth in 2003. The pump
had been recently maintained -- but with non-standard parts,
according to the report.
Two people were killed and four others, including the pilot,
were injured in the August 11th, 2003, mishap. The aircraft had
just departed Jandakot Airport when the right engine failed. The
pilot attempted to return to the runway, but impacted the ground
just short, crashing in a fireball that immediately killed one
passenger and led to another's death almost three months later.
The ATSB report said:
"In challenging circumstances and with high voltage power lines
crossing the aircraft's path 2,400 meters beyond the runway, the
pilot turned the aircraft back to the aerodrome for an emergency
landing.
"During the maneuvering, the pilot was unable to prevent the
aircraft descending towards trees and scrub-type terrain where it
crashed and caught fire. Fuel from the ruptured wing tanks fed the
fire."
What caused the right engine to fail? Investigators traced the
failure to a non-standard part installed in the engine's fuel
pump.
"That material selection had the unintended consequence of
increasing the likelihood of bearing seizure," the report said. The
ATSB said the power setting of the left engine at the time, along
with the pilot's attempt to return to the landing strip,
contributed to the accident.
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