What happened
The incident occurred while the aircraft was operating under normal cruise conditions. At this stage of flight, both engines simultaneously lost power due to a depletion of fuel supply. Following the loss of propulsion, the pilot initiated an emergency procedure to execute a forced landing. The aircraft touched down in a field characterized by rough and uneven terrain. During the subsequent landing roll across this difficult surface, the structural integrity of the landing gear was compromised, specifically resulting in the collapse of the nose gear.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the accident site and the aircraft components was conducted to determine the sequence of events. Investigators inspected the fuel systems to verify the status of the fuel supply at the time of the engine failure. The inspection revealed that only unusable fuel remained within the main fuel tanks, confirming a total depletion of usable fuel.
Findings
Analysis of the flight data and physical evidence highlighted several critical factors contributing to the accident. Foremost among these was the complete exhaustion of fuel during cruise flight. Additionally, post-accident inspection of the fuel gauges indicated that they read one-quarter full at the time the engines ceased operation. This discrepancy suggests a potential calibration issue or misinterpretation of fuel quantity indicators. The rough and uneven nature of the landing field further contributed to the mechanical failure of the nose gear during the ground roll.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure accurate monitoring of fuel quantities and cross-check fuel gauges against actual usage rates. Regular maintenance checks of fuel measurement systems are essential to prevent discrepancies between indicated and actual fuel levels.