Investigation number
AO-2007-049
Occurrence date
Location
102km N Adelaide
State
South Australia
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation level
Systemic
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Engine failure or malfunction
Occurrence class
Serious Incident
Highest injury level
None

On 18 October 2007, the pilot of a Cessna Aircraft Company C404 Titan aircraft, registered VH-TMP, was conducting a charter flight from Adelaide Airport, SA to Parafield Airport, Beverley airstrip, and return to Adelaide. The pilot had commenced descent into Adelaide on the final sector of the flight when the right engine lost power. There were no apparent anomalies, and the fuel quantity gauges were showing adequate fuel in each tank. After securing the right engine, the pilot continued to Adelaide Airport and landed without further incident.

Aircraft maintenance engineers who inspected the aircraft reported that 3 L of fuel was drained from the right tank and 90 L was drained from the left tank. The fuel quantity gauge was indicating 150 lbs (95 L) in the right tank. An engineer found that one of the electrical circuits in the right fuel quantity indication system had a high resistance. After wiring in the circuit was repaired, the fuel quantity gauge correctly indicated zero fuel in the right tank. Calibration of the fuel quantity indication system was carried out and during that process, the left and right signal conditioners were found to be unreliable and were replaced or repaired.

The operator amended its fuel documentation and fuel planning procedures to include a secondary means of verification of fuel on board to cross-check the electric fuel indication system.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) advised that a Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR) 215 direction [WRA3130] had been issued to the operator. In late 2007, CASA withdrew Airworthiness Bulletin 28-002.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model
404
Registration
VH-TMP
Serial number
4040125
Operation type
Charter
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Beverley SA
Departure time
1230
Destination
Adelaide SA
Damage
Nil