Ditching following engine failure — Cessna 208 Grand Caravan

Summary

A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan operating a charter flight from Wyndham ditched in the Cambridge Gulf following a complete loss of engine power shortly after departure. All five passengers and the pilot successfully evacuated the aircraft. The pilot had deployed the emergency life raft and activated the ELT. All persons were rescued by boat within 40 minutes.

Investigation Findings (4)

1. 01Engine failure was attributed to fuel contamination; a water-methanol emulsion was found in the fuel system.
2. 02Water had entered the fuel through a poorly sealed filler cap that had been replaced 3 days prior.
3. 03The replacement filler cap was not on the approved parts list for the aircraft type.
4. 04CASA issued a Safety Advisory relating to the use of unapproved filler caps on turbine-engine aircraft.