Cessna 402 N98649 accident near Kirksville, Missouri

Probable cause

A loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he had just taken off and retracted the landing gear when the airplane experienced a substantial loss in engine power. He retarded the throttles to idle and landed the airplane on the remaining runway without lowering the landing gear, resulting in substantial damage to the rear spar caps.

Both propellers were found in a feathered position although the pilot said he did not feather them. It is unlikely that the propellers feathered on their own, as the propeller control levers must be placed in the feathered position to feather them; however it could not be determined when the propellers were feathered.

Postaccident examination revealed a small amount of water in the fuel selector sump bowl and left auxiliary tank sump bowls but not elsewhere in the fuel system. Thus, it is unlikely that the water found would have affected the performance of the engine. Subsequent engine runs on each engine using the same fuel that was onboard the airplane at the time of the accident revealed no anomalies and normal propellers cycles. No reason for a partial loss of engine power on either or both engines could be determined based on available evidence.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20LA149 for the full record.