Statuts: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Date: | jeudi 20 décembre 2007 |
Heure: | 17:00 |
Type/Sous-type: | Cessna 208B Grand Caravan |
Compagnie: | Agape Flights |
Immatriculation: | N954PA |
Numéro de série: | 208B0556 |
Année de Fabrication: | 1996 |
Heures de vol: | 7390 |
Moteurs: | 1 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A |
Equipage: | victimes: 0 / Ã bord: 2 |
Passagers: | victimes: 0 / Ã bord: 0 |
Total: | victimes: 0 / Ã bord: 2 |
Dégats de l'appareil: | Perte Totale |
Conséquences: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
Lieu de l'accident: | 42 km (26.3 milles) WNW de Chub Cay, Bahamas ( Océan Pacifique)
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Phase de vol: | En vol (ENR) |
Nature: | Convoyage |
Aéroport de départ: | Santo Domingo (unknown airport), République Dominicaine |
Aéroport de destination: | West Palm Beach International Airport, FL (PBI/KPBI), Etats-Unis d'Amérique |
Détails:Agape Flights is a missionary organization that regularly delivers supplies to the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Their Cessna 208B Grand Caravan had dropped off cargo in the Dominican Republic and was heading back to the U.S. Around 16:30 the aircraft engine failed without warning. Several attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The aircraft at the time was in contact with Miami Center at an altitude of approximately 12,000 ft. Miami diverted the aircraft to the nearest airport which was Chub Cay, Bahamas at the time. The aircraft however, was not able to glide to Chub Cay and landed in waters approximately 30 nautical miles West North West of Chub Cay. The occupants were rescued about twenty minutes later by crew of a sailing boat that was passing in the area.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
The engine power loss was caused by a loss of fuel pressure resulting from a loss of drive to the fuel pump. The drive loss was caused by worn and cracked splines on the drive shaft.
The damage to the splines of the fuel pump drive shaft was likely caused by cracking below the chrome plating covering the splines, which deteriorated into spalling and wear leading to decouple between the accessories gearbox and fuel pump.
The remaining engine damage was caused by exposure to salt water.
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
Maintenance changed the fuel control unit and coupling shaft on July 17, 2007 due to original FCU failing emergency power checks. However there is no record to show whether or not the splines of fuel pump drive shaft inspection as per P&WC's applicable Maintenance Manual has been accomplished.
Accident investigation:

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Investigating agency: | AAIPU Bahamas |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 2 years and 4 months | Accident number: | A08-26107 | Download report: | Final report
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Sources:
» 2 missionaries saved after plane goes into sea off Bahamas island (Sun-Sentinel, 21-12-2007)
Photos
Les informations ci-dessus ne représentent pas l'opinion de la 'Flight Safety Foundation' ou de 'Aviation Safety Network' sur les causes de l'accident. Ces informations prélimimaires sont basées sur les faits tel qu'ils sont connus à ce jour.