Beechjet Flameouts Prompt Warning

Three dual engine flameouts on Beechjet 400 bizjets, including one that resulted in a dead-stick landing, have prompted the NTSB to urge immediate action to resolve the problems that are causing the failures. “Dual-engine flameout is an unacceptable risk that needs to be addressed as quickly as possible,” NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker said in a news release. The flameouts occurred on July 12, 2004, near Sarasota, Fla.; Nov. 28, 2005, near Jacksonville, Fla.; and on June 14, 2006 near Norfolk, Va. (There was also one in Brazil in 2000.) In two of the U.S. incidents, the pilots were able to restart at least one engine but the crew of the third Beechjet had to glide to a landing. All the landings were without injury. The flameouts all occurred when the aircraft were between 38,000 and 40,000 feet and near areas of convective activity. Evidence points to an icing problem with the Pratt and Whitney JT15D engines as the cause of the flameouts.