Turbo Commander 690 Series
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 80; Flight Crew Total 2000; Flight Crew Type 30
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Confusion; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Diverted; General Maintenance Action; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
Fuel gauge read inaccurate; low fuel light came on and within 2 minutes both engines flame out. Got vectors to nearest airfield and landed safely on the runway. One fuel cap was missing upon landing.
The Reporter stated that he visually checked the fuel cap prior to departure but did not use a screw driver to ensure it was locked. In flight the fuel usage did not feel correct and stayed at 1;200 LBS for a long time; then dropped to 600 LBS; then quickly to 300 LBS; at which point he was for ATC assistance. Within two minutes the engines flamed out. After landing he discovered the fuel cap missing and the fuel cap chain wedged in the flapper valve so that the valve remained open allowing the fuel to siphon due to negative over wing pressure. The Reporter could not verify the Mechanic's statement that over 100 Turbo Commander fuel caps are ordered per year.
A Turbo Commander 690B fuel cap came off in flight while the cap chain became wedged in the fill flapper valve which allowed fuel to siphon out; draining the tanks and causing both engines to flame out at 16;000 FT. A successful on airport landing was completed.