Factual Report: Metro has fuel system problems

Swearingen SA-226-TC Metro, Paris, Tenn., Feb. 8, 2006 – The Tri-Coastal Airlines Metro cargo flight, en route from Dayton, Ohio, to Harlingen, Texas, crashed near Paris, Tenn., in an 80-degree nose-down, nearly vertical attitude. The ATP-rated pilot was killed and the airplane destroyed.

At 16,000 feet, the pilot asked to make a 360-degree turn to the left, then a 360 to the right. He then asked ATC for vectors to the closest airport. Controllers gave him a vector and asked if he had an emergency. He said he had an asymmetric fuel condition. After asking for a lower altitude, he called Mayday six times and radar and radio contact was lost.