Cessna 401, VQ-TLG, 24 July 2009

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 10 December 2014

• Category: Commercial - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 24 July 2009
• Aircraft type: Cessna 401
• Location: Salt Cay, Turks & Caicos Islands
• Registration: VQ-TLG

Cessna 401, VQ-TLG

Summary:

VQ-TLG took off from Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands for a flight to Salt Cay, which is approximately 8 nm to the south-west. The wind was from 110° at 10 kt, the visibility was over 10 km and there was no low level cloud. As the aircraft descended through approximately 1,000 ft on its approach to Runway 08 at Salt Cay, the left engine failed. The commander feathered the propeller and selected full power on the remaining engine but the aircraft was unable to maintain altitude. He tried to re-start the left engine but was unsuccessful. The commander judged that the aircraft would not reach the airfield and decided to ditch in a large shallow lake that lay beneath the base leg for the runway. The ditching was successful and all the occupants were able to leave the aircraft through the usual cabin door. At the time of writing, the engines had not been inspected and the cause of the engine failure was unknown.

Download report:

Cessna 401, VQ-TLG 05-10.pdf (251.30 kb)

Published 10 December 2014