Status:	Final
Date:	11 JAN 1995
Time:	18:05
Type:	Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster
Operating for:	Empire Airlines
Leased from:	FedEx
Registration:	N746FE
C/n / msn:	208B-0236
First flight:	1990
Total airframe hrs:	2439
Engines:	1 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A
Crew:	Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Passengers:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Total:	Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Airplane damage:	Destroyed
Airplane fate:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	2 km (1.3 mls) SSE of Flagstaff, AZ (United States of America)
Phase:	Initial climb (ICL)
Nature:	Cargo
Departure airport:	Flagstaff-Pulliam Field, AZ (FLG/KFLG), United States of America
Destination airport:	Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport, AZ (PHX/KPHX), United States of America

Narrative:
Prior to departure from Flagstaff (FLG), the airplane was refuelled with 40 gals of jet A (20 gals per tank), which increased the total fuel load to 148 gallons. The aircraft took off from runway 21. Shortly after takeoff the pilot radioed that he was coming back, during which the background sound of the "fuel selector off" warning horn was heard. The Caravan was seen to enter a shallow left bank below the clouds as it descended into trees.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's failure to properly configure the aircraft fuel system prior to takeoff, and his failure maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude while manoeuvring to return to the airport. Factors in the accident were the dark night lighting conditions, low ceilings, restricted visibility conditions, and the pilot's diverted attention which resulted from activation of the airplane's fuel selector warning horn system. ".

Sources:
» NTSB id LAX95FA076