Summary
On 12 February 2002 at approximately 15:30 UTC, a Cessna 172G, registration CS-AKV, owned by Aeroclube da Figueira da Fóz, was returning from a leisure trip to Cascais Aerodrome when the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot executed an emergency landing in unprepared terrain near S. Silvestre, Coimbra. The pilot and passenger exited the aircraft unharmed. The aircraft suffered light damage.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a single-engine Cessna 172G. The pilot was a 27-year-old Portuguese male holding a PCA license issued by INAC, with a total flight experience of 850 hours. The aircraft had a valid navigation certificate and had been maintained according to the established program.
Accident Details
The engine failure occurred without warning. The pilot performed appropriate procedures but was unable to restore power. The emergency landing was made in a field. The aircraft came to a stop after approximately 20 meters, sustaining light damage. Post-accident examination revealed damage to the lower engine cowlings, nose gear structure, and left wing tip. The right fuel tank was empty, and the left tank contained three liters of fuel. No fuel spillage was observed at the site.
Meteorological and Communications
Weather conditions were clear with light northwest wind. The pilot maintained bilateral communications with Lisbon approach during the flight.
Post-Accident Testing
Maintenance personnel tested the engine at the scene; it started easily and operated normally at various power settings. The fuel quantity in the tanks was measured, showing the right tank empty and the left tank with only three liters, raising the possibility that fuel exhaustion contributed to the power loss.