What happened
On July 4, 2010, a Cessna 152, registration CS-ASQ, was conducting a navigation training flight for the Aero Clube de Leiria. The flight, operated by Gestair – Flying Academy, was manned by a flight instructor and a student pilot. After departing from Covilhã at 14:10 UTC, the aircraft was en route to Leiria.
During the flight, the instructor noticed a loss of engine power and determined that the cause was a lack of fuel. The pilot immediately notified the Flight Information Service (FIS) of the emergency and the intention to land on a roadway. At 14:43 UTC, the aircraft performed an emergency landing on the IC8 highway near the Camporês Business Park in Ansião, Pombal. The landing was successful, and the crew remained uninjured. There were no damages to the aircraft or third parties.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the flight planning, fuel consumption records, and operational procedures. Investigators reviewed fuel receipts from the preceding days, noting that while the aircraft had been refueled, the total fuel consumed since June 27 exceeded the amount replenished. The investigation also analyzed the aircraft's operating manual, specifically regarding fuel consumption adjustments for temperature and flight maneuvers.
Findings
- The primary cause of the emergency landing was fuel exhaustion.
- The pilot failed to plan for adequate fuel reserves, neglecting to account for necessary alternates (LPCO and LPSR) or corrections for meteorological conditions, such as high temperatures.
- There was a lack of effective flight planning, as the pilot only fueled the minimum required for the trip based on standard tables, without considering potential deviations or wind effects.
- The operator lacked established procedures for monitoring fuel consumption during flight or verifying fuel quantities on the ground using alternative methods, such as a graduated ruler.
- The pilot was relatively unfamiliar with this specific aircraft, which had recently joined the Aero Clube de Leiria's fleet.
Safety action
- It is recommended that the Aero Clube de Leiria establish a Manual of Procedures or Operational Standards. This manual should ensure that all flight operations align with manufacturer recommendations and international best practices (ICAO and EASA) to provide pilots with the tools necessary to prevent fuel-related irregularities and enhance flight safety.