What happened
On October 15, 2022, a JA-600 light-sport aircraft departed from La Victoria de Chacabuco Aerodrome (SCVH) in the Metropolitan Region of Chile, bound for Eulogio Sánchez Aerodrome. The flight was operated by a commercial pilot accompanied by one passenger.
During the initial climb following takeoff from runway 21, the aircraft experienced a drop in engine power. The pilot initiated a left turn to return to the departure runway. While the aircraft was positioned near the threshold of runway 03, the engine ceased operation entirely. The resulting loss of altitude caused the aircraft to strike electrical power lines before impacting the ground. The impact and subsequent fire, fueled by the ignition of gaseous fuel from the tanks, resulted in the destruction of the aircraft. The pilot sustained serious injuries, while the passenger suffered minor injuries.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history and flight logs. The investigation revealed that five days prior to the accident, the aircraft had been grounded due to detected fuel contamination. While a fuel drain had been performed on October 13, several maintenance tasks remained incomplete, meaning the aircraft was technically still in a "non-serviceable" status.
Investigators also reviewed the refueling process and found that a fuel funnel with a water separator—a tool recommended in the aircraft's maintenance manual—was not being used. Although the fuel loaded on the day of the accident showed no signs of contamination, the investigation focused on how previous issues might have affected the fuel system. Due to the intensity of the post-crash fire, critical components such as the fuel lines, selector valve, and electric pump were destroyed, preventing a definitive functional analysis of the fuel system components.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a decrease in fuel pressure during takeoff, which led to engine failure during the pilot's attempt to return to the runway.
- The pilot failed to check the aircraft's flight log, which contained an active entry regarding a pending fuel contamination discrepancy.
- The aircraft was operated while it was officially in a non-serviceable state, as required maintenance tasks to verify fuel system integrity had not been completed.
- Contamination likely obstructed the fuel system, causing the fluctuations in pressure and the eventual engine shutdown.
- The refueling procedure did not utilize a water-separating funnel as recommended by the manufacturer's maintenance manual.