Narrative:
Prior to departure from Flagstaff (FLG), the airplane was refuelled with 40 gals of jet A (20 gals per tank), which increased the total fuel load to 148 gallons. The aircraft took off from runway 21. Shortly after takeoff the pilot radioed that he was coming back, during which the background sound of the "fuel selector off" warning horn was heard. The Caravan was seen to enter a shallow left bank below the clouds as it descended into trees.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's failure to properly configure the aircraft fuel system prior to takeoff, and his failure maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude while manoeuvring to return to the airport. Factors in the accident were the dark night lighting conditions, low ceilings, restricted visibility conditions, and the pilot's diverted attention which resulted from activation of the airplane's fuel selector warning horn system. ".
Emergency landing
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 11 January 1995 |
| Time: | 18:05 |
| Type: |  Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster |
| Operating for: | Empire Airlines |
| Leased from: | FedEx |
| Registration: | N746FE |
| MSN: | 208B0236 |
| First flight: | 1990 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 2439 |
| Engines: | 1 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 2 km (1.3 mls) SSE of Flagstaff-Pulliam Field, AZ (FLG) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Initial climb (ICL) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Flagstaff-Pulliam Field, AZ (FLG/KFLG), United States of America |
| Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport, AZ (PHX/KPHX), United States of America |
Prior to departure from Flagstaff (FLG), the airplane was refuelled with 40 gals of jet A (20 gals per tank), which increased the total fuel load to 148 gallons. The aircraft took off from runway 21. Shortly after takeoff the pilot radioed that he was coming back, during which the background sound of the "fuel selector off" warning horn was heard. The Caravan was seen to enter a shallow left bank below the clouds as it descended into trees.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's failure to properly configure the aircraft fuel system prior to takeoff, and his failure maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude while manoeuvring to return to the airport. Factors in the accident were the dark night lighting conditions, low ceilings, restricted visibility conditions, and the pilot's diverted attention which resulted from activation of the airplane's fuel selector warning horn system. ".
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Emergency landing
Sources:
» NTSB id LAX95FA076Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Flagstaff-Pulliam Field, AZ to Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport, AZ as the crow flies is 191 km (119 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
Distance from Flagstaff-Pulliam Field, AZ to Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport, AZ as the crow flies is 191 km (119 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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