What happened
The aircraft experienced a sudden loss of engine power during the initial phase of flight. The incident occurred immediately following a routine maintenance check, raising questions about the serviceability of critical components at the time of departure.
The investigation
A review of the maintenance records revealed that an annual inspection had been completed just three operating hours prior to the accident. Despite this recent service, the aircraft's air filter was found to be heavily loaded with trapped dirt. Visual inspection indicated that the filter appeared to have remained in service for a significant duration, far exceeding its intended lifespan.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the incident was the condition of the engine air intake system. The manufacturer's maintenance guidelines explicitly recommend replacing the air filter at 100 operating hours or annually, whichever occurs first. The failure to replace the filter in accordance with these recommendations resulted in a heavily restricted airflow, which likely led to fuel starvation and subsequent power loss.
Safety message
Adherence to manufacturer-recommended maintenance intervals is critical for engine reliability. Operators must ensure that air filters are replaced strictly according to operating hour limits or annual schedules, regardless of how recently an inspection was performed.