Event MIA03IA157

Factual narrative

On August 5, 2003, about 1120, Atlantic standard time, a Cessna 402C, N371R, registered to Aero Leasing Inc., and operated by Air Florida Express Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight, had both engines cease operating while in cruise flight over the Atlantic Ocean. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airline transport-rated pilot and three passengers were not injured, and the airplane sustained no damage. The flight originated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the same day, about 0530. The pilot stated that he reported for duty at 0500, at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and at 0530, he departed on the planned 6-hour 15 minute-flight to St. Thomas, U.S.Virgin Islands. En route, at an altitude of 9,500 feet, in the vicinity of Grand Turk he said he noticed the airplane's fuel gauges fluctuating over a 60 gallon range. He said he continued the flight with confidence in his flight planning, even though he was concerned about the fuel gauge readings, and made a radio communications call to San Juan Radio, changing his destination to the Isla Grande Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico. About 40 nautical miles from Isla Grande Airport the right engine sputtered and the pilot said he turned the fuel pumps on, checked the fuel pressure, and noted zero on the fuel quantity indicator, so he selected fuel from the left tank. He said he was also reading a low fuel pressure for the left engine. After climbing to 11,500 feet he again made a radio communications call to San Juan Radio, and about 35 miles from Isla Grande Airport the left engine ceased operating. The right engine then ceased operating a short time after, and the pilot said he feathered both propellers, declared an emergency, and diverted to the Arecibo Airport. He then switched the right fuel selector from left tank to right tank, and was able to restart the right engine and fly toward the shore, and then the right engine ceased operating. About two nautical miles north of the Arecibo Airport, at 6,000 feet and descending, the pilot said he got the left engine operating again. He said he then extended the landing gear, entered a right crosswind, extended full flaps on a right downwind, and landed on runway 08. After clearing the runway and off-loading his passengers, the pilot said he was debriefed by an FAA inspector, who then issued him a ferry permit to operate the airplane. The pilot then purchased fuel and ferried the airplane to Borinquen Airport where he "topped the tanks" with additional fuel. A passenger stated that she overheard the pilot speaking with the owner prior to commencing the flight, stating that his copilot had not yet arrived, and expressing concerns about making the flight. After that conversation, the passenger said that the pilot asked her to sit in the copilot's seat in the cockpit. During the course of the flight the passenger stated that the pilot taught her to read the Global Positioning System receiver, and as she was seated there noticed that the fuel gage which had been indicating full fuel tanks on takeoff, after about 70 miles/60 minutes from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was indicating "2." She said she asked if they were running out of fuel, and should stop to refuel, and the pilot answered her stating that the fuel gauge may have been broken. The passenger stated that she replied that she had been watching the gauge the whole time, and it was not broken. Once again the passenger said she asked if they should stop and refuel, and the pilot answered stating "no, it is probably due to the fluctuation in speed of 174 knots or higher winds." The passenger stated that when the fuel quantity read "0", there was a correspondingly loud sound and a "gurgle", and both the left and right propellers stopped spinning. She said at that time they could not see land, and the pilot immediately made a radio communications call declaring an emergency. She said the airplane glided about 10 miles over the ocean, at which time the pilot was able to restart the right engine. The airplane then proceeded for about another 10 miles and at that time she said they saw land, but about that time the right engine ceased operating again. She said the airplane glided for another 10 miles, and the pilot told them to put on their life vests. At some point while close to land, she said the pilot was able to restart the left engine and extend the landing gear, but after proceeding for an additional 10 miles the left engine ceased operating again. She said the pilot made another communications call declaring an emergency a second time, and told her to look for a place to land. Approximately two miles from land she said they saw a landing strip, and they landed with all engines inoperative. As they landed, the passenger said they were followed by fire trucks and an ambulance. The passenger further stated that the pilot later spoke to her, stating that they had engine problem, and while being driven from the airplane, asked her not to mention to the FAA inspector that the airplane ran out of fuel. The pilot stated that while at an altitude of 9,500 feet, in the vicinity of Grand Turk, he noticed the airplane's fuel gauges fluctuating over a 60 gallon range. He said he continued the flight with confidence in his flight planning, and about 40 nautical miles from Isla Grande Airport the right engine sputtered. The pilot said he turned the fuel pumps on, checked the fuel pressure, and noted zero on the fuel quantity indicator, so he selected fuel from the left tank. He said he was also reading a low pressure for the left engine. After climbing to 11,500 feet, about 35 miles from Isla Grande Airport the left engine ceased operating. The right engine then ceased operating a short time after, and the pilot said he feathered both propellers, declared an emergency, and diverted to the Arecibo Airport. He then switched the fuel selector from left tank to right tank, and was able to restart the right engine, and fly toward the shore, and then the right engine ceased operating. About two nautical miles north of the Arecibo Airport, at 6,000 feet and descending, the pilot said he got the left engine operating again. He said he then extended the landing gear, entered a right crosswind, extended full flaps on a right downwind, and landed on runway 08. After off-loading his passengers, the pilot said he was debriefed by an FAA inspector, who issued him a ferry permit to operate the airplane. The pilot then purchased fuel and ferried the airplane to Borinquen Airport where he "topped the tanks" with additional fuel. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12