What happened
On 15 March 2009, a Cessna 206G Stationair, registration EI-HOG, was conducting aerial parachute operations at Clonbullogue Airfield. During a climb to 9,000 feet, the aircraft experienced a temporary partial loss of power. Following the pilot's instructions, the parachutists exited the aircraft safely. While the engine initially recovered power, it subsequently failed during the final approach to runway 27. Unable to reach the runway threshold, the aircraft struck a recently ploughed field short of the landing area. The nose wheel dug into the soft earth, causing the aircraft to tumble and come to rest inverted. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was later released from the hospital.
The investigation
The AAIU investigation focused on the engine failure and the aircraft's fuel management. Investigators found that the engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion. The investigation revealed that the pilot had relied on a fuel flow totaliser that was under-reading fuel consumption by approximately 19% because the sensor had not been calibrated. Furthermore, the fuel quantity was overestimated during the most recent refuelling because insufficient time had been allowed for the fuel to settle in the tanks after the uplift.
Technical inspections of the aircraft also identified that the low-fuel warning system was likely inoperative due to a disconnected connector and an electrical short. Additionally, the investigation noted that the pilot's lack of operational experience with this specific aircraft type contributed to the decision to attempt a power-on landing rather than preparing for an immediate forced landing.
Findings
- The engine stopped because the aircraft ran out of fuel.
- The pilot used inaccurate fuel flow data to estimate remaining fuel.
- The fuel quantity was incorrectly estimated following refuelling because the fuel had not settled.
- The low-fuel warning lights were not functioning correctly.
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with the new aircraft type influenced the approach decision.
- The propeller was not manually feathered after the engine stopped, leading to a steeper glide angle and the subsequent undershoot.