On June 5, 2018, at approximately 3:45pm local time, a Cessna 421B aircraft (N421MM), crashed in dense bushes shortly after takeoff from Rock Sound International Airport, Eleuthera, Bahamas. The crash site was located approximately 0.41 nautical miles north of the runway 09 threshold and 1.42 nautical miles from the runway 27 threshold. The pilot and two passengers aboard the aircraft perished in the accident, which also resulted in the aircraft being destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. The flight, which was operated under the provisions of the USA 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a private flight, was destined for Ft. Pierce International Airport in Florida, USA. At the time of the accident, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no VFR flight plan had been filed for the flight.

The investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Department (AAID) concluded that the probable cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft. Analysis indicated that the aircraft was not producing the required takeoff power at the time of the crash, despite no pre-existing conditions that would have prevented the aircraft's engines from operating normally at full power. Critical evidence that could have provided further insights into the crash was destroyed in the post-impact fire. Among the findings, it was noted that the fuel selector valve for the left engine was found in the crossfeed position, which is significant since the pilot operating handbook requires the fuel selector to be on the main tank for takeoff and landing operations. The right valve was melted, and its position could not be determined. No pre-impact engine fire evidence was found during the engine analysis.

Amelia™ offers a Flight Envelope for the aircraft and a Health Envelope for the pilot, effortlessly integrating as an unobtrusive add-on within the avionics system, requiring no modifications to existing equipment. Despite critical evidence that could have provided further insights into the crash was destroyed in the post-impact fire, it looks likely that the cause of the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft was due to fuel starvation in the left engine with engine sputtering happening at some point in time not far after take off. 

Amelia™ is aware of various procedures and checklists in the Pilot Operating Handbook and aware of the recommended settings. It is possible that after the possible sputtering of the left engine, the left engine fuel selector was positioned by the pilot from the main tank to the auxiliary tank position (crossfeed position). Based on the digitization of the aircraft, Amelia™ would have detected this and alerted the pilot that the fuel selector position and valve should be on the main tank for takeoff and landing operations. This would have prevented the fuel starvation of the left engine and averted the accident. 

On January 5, 2022, a Cessna 402B aircraft (N145TT), experienced a dual engine power loss and subsequently crashed into the waters approximately 4.48 NM west of Chub Cay Airport (MYBC) in the Berry Islands, Bahamas, at 8:32 am EST. The aircraft, operated by Airway Air Charter INC (Venture Air Solutions INC) under Part 135 of the Title 14 US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), had embarked on a flight from Opa Locka Executive Airport (KOPF), Opa Locka, Florida, to Chub Cay International Airport, with two individuals onboard. Prior to departure, the aircraft had been refueled with 66.5 gallons of avgas in its main tanks, without any addition to the auxiliary tanks.

The incident unfolded during the aircraft's descent into Chub Cay at approximately 2500 feet, when the left engine began to sputter, followed shortly by the right engine exhibiting the same issue. Despite the pilot's efforts to execute the engine failure checklist, both engines lost power, leading to the aircraft's crash into the sea. Rescue efforts were promptly initiated by the United States Coast Guard, the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF), and the Police Force (RBPF), with support from local mariners and pilots. Both occupants were rescued and later airlifted to the United States for medical attention for minor injuries.

The investigation, constrained by the inability to recover the aircraft from the deep waters for analysis or testing, relied on a review of available documents such as maintenance logbooks, air traffic control records, pilot accounts, weather forecasts, and airman training records. The analysis revealed that the aircraft had been maintained according to regulatory standards, and there were no pre-existing mechanical irregularities noted that could have contributed to the dual engine failure. The pilot, who had completed initial training for the Cessna 402B model and possessed a valid Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, may have mismanaged the fuel system, leading to the loss of engine power. Specifically, the pilot's decision to switch from the main tanks to the auxiliary tanks, without verifying the fuel quantity in the auxiliary tanks, contradicted the Cessna Pilot Operating Handbook's emergency checklist for addressing engine failure. 

Amelia™ offers a Flight Envelope for the aircraft and a Health Envelope for the pilot, effortlessly integrating as an unobtrusive add-on within the avionics system, requiring no modifications to existing equipment. Amelia™ is aware of various checklists in the Pilot Operating Handbook and can recommend checklist procedures. Here after the sputtering of the left engine, the left engine fuel selector was positioned by the pilot from the main tank to the auxiliary tank position. This was a deviation from the Cessna’s engine failure checklist. Based on the digitization of the aircraft, Amelia™ would have detected this and alerted the pilot before he did the same incorrect emergency checklist procedure again after the sputtering of the right engine. This would have possibly averted the accident.