According to the NTSB, the Flight Options Beechjet 400A (N455CW) that experienced a dual flameout over the Gulf of Mexico on July 12 last year had a lower-than-normal amount of anti-icing additives in its tanks. Both Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D turbofans failed as the twinjet was descending through 39,000 feet about 100 miles off Florida’s west coast. The crew was able to restart the right engine at 14,000 feet and land safely at Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, Fla. Fuel samples were taken from both the Beechjet and the facility that had last refueled the airplane. While the density and specific gravity of the onboard fuel were normal, the Safety Board said, the test showed a reading of 0.023 parts per million of Prist anti-icing additives, far below the normal range of 0.10 to 0.15 parts per million. The NTSB said this low concentration of anti-icing additives raised the freezing point of any water in the fuel. Beechjet 400As are not equipped with fuel heaters. An NTSB factual report, scheduled to be released this month, is expected to include more details and the fuel-test
results from the fuel provider.