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PA31 pilot reports engine failure shortly after takeoff due to fuel starvation. The engine is shut down and flight returns to departure airport. Post flight reveals the right inboard fuel cap is missing; although it was viewed to be in position after fueling prior to the previous leg.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 966090 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201108 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.TRACON |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | PA-31 Navajo/Chieftan/Mojave/T1040 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 135 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Route In Use | Vectors |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Fuel Tank Cap |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200 Flight Crew Total 3297 Flight Crew Type 227 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue |
Narrative:
Seven minutes after takeoff I noticed the right boost pump inop annunciation illuminated. Seconds after the annunciation was detected the right engine began to surge with an additional right low fuel annunciation. I pro-actively shut the right engine down; declared an emergency and landed without indecent. On final approach I noticed the fuel gauge appeared to be 'stuck' at full then promptly fell to a 1/8 indication. On post-flight examination I noticed the right inboard fuel tank filler cap was missing from the airplane. The last time I received fuel was the prior leg; a 'quick turn' in preparation for this flight. It was determined that the lineman failed to properly latch the fuel cap. After I was done loading cargo; I noted all 4 caps were installed on the plane; and observed fuel seeping from the cap; which is normal after a top off. I also verified full fuel indication from the cockpit and again observed 4 fuel caps in place prior to engine start. Being that it was night I probably could not detect the fact the latch was not fully flush; moreover some fuel caps that are 'tight' will not sit full flush; but will still latch. I will always physically check the security of the fuel cap regardless of the 'rush' of a situation.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: PA31 pilot reports engine failure shortly after takeoff due to fuel starvation. The engine is shut down and flight returns to departure airport. Post flight reveals the right inboard fuel cap is missing; although it was viewed to be in position after fueling prior to the previous leg.
Narrative: Seven minutes after takeoff I noticed the right boost pump Inop annunciation illuminated. Seconds after the annunciation was detected the right engine began to surge with an additional Right Low Fuel Annunciation. I pro-actively shut the right engine down; declared an emergency and landed without indecent. On final approach I noticed the fuel gauge appeared to be 'stuck' at full then promptly fell to a 1/8 indication. On post-flight examination I noticed the right inboard fuel tank filler cap was missing from the airplane. The last time I received fuel was the prior leg; a 'quick turn' in preparation for this flight. It was determined that the lineman failed to properly latch the fuel cap. After I was done loading cargo; I noted all 4 caps were installed on the plane; and observed fuel seeping from the cap; which is normal after a top off. I also verified full fuel indication from the cockpit and again observed 4 fuel caps in place prior to engine start. Being that it was night I probably could not detect the fact the latch was not fully flush; moreover some fuel caps that are 'tight' will not sit full flush; but will still latch. I will always physically check the security of the fuel cap regardless of the 'rush' of a situation.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.