Incident Overview

Date: Thursday 20 December 2007
Aircraft Type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
Owner/operator: Agape Flights
Registration Number: N954PA
Location: 42 km WNW off Chub Cay, Bahamas – ÿ Pacific Ocean
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Fuel pump drive shaft.Fuel pump drive shaft.
Investigating Agency: AAIPUAAIPU
Category: Accident
A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan carrying Agape Flights experienced an engine failure during a flight from the Dominican Republic to Haiti. The aircraft lost power and subsequently landed in shallow waters off Chub Cay, Bahamas, due to a loss of fuel pressure caused by worn splines on the fuel pump drive shaft. Rescue was facilitated by a passing sailing boat.A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan carrying Agape Flights experienced an engine failure during a flight from the Dominican Republic to Haiti. The aircraft lost power and subsequently landed in shallow waters off Chub Cay, Bahamas, due to a loss of fuel pressure caused by worn splines on the fuel pump drive shaft. Rescue was facilitated by a passing sailing boat.

Description

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: 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.

Primary Cause

Loss of fuel pressure due to worn and cracked splines on the fuel pump drive shaft.Loss of fuel pressure due to worn and cracked splines on the fuel pump drive shaft.

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