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October 12, 2011, Hollywood, Fla., Socata TBM 700

The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing on a highway at about 1334 Eastern time, following total loss of engine power during the post-maintenance test flight. Visual conditions prevailed. The airline transport pilot and pilot-rated other crewmember sustained minor injuries. There were no ground injuries.

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Key Takeaways:

  • An airplane sustained substantial damage during a gear-up emergency landing on a highway, following a total loss of engine power during a post-maintenance test flight, with the two crewmembers sustaining minor injuries.
  • The engine failure was preceded by multiple low fuel tank warnings, an observed fuel imbalance, and ultimately occurred after the pilot selected the right fuel tank, triggering a "fuel press" warning light.
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The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing on a highway at about 1334 Eastern time, following total loss of engine power during the post-maintenance test flight. Visual conditions prevailed. The airline transport pilot and pilot-rated other crewmember sustained minor injuries. There were no ground injuries.

By cockpit indication, the left tank had approximately 104 gallons and the right tank had approximately 105 gallons. The flight departed and climbed to FL280, which took approximately 15 minutes. After leveling off, a low right fuel tank warning was received. At the end of the flight’s cruise portion, the pilot noted a fuel imbalance indication indicating the right side had a greater quantity of fuel that the left fuel tank. After descending to 10,000 feet, multiple low right fuel tank warning annunciations were received. The pilot shifted to supply fuel from the left tank.

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