What happened
On August 17, 2016, a Cessna 152 was performing a takeoff roll at Bydgoszcz-Szwederowo Airport (EPBY) during a recreational flight. During the takeoff run, the pilot noticed the engine was running unevenly and subsequently decided to abort the takeoff. The aircraft decelerated and came to a stop on the runway without further assistance.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the engine's performance and the pilot's pre-flight procedures. It was established that the pilot failed to perform a thorough pre-flight inspection, specifically neglecting to drain the fuel sumps to check for the presence of water or contaminants. According to the aircraft's operating manual, fuel must be drained from both wing tanks and the engine compartment fuel filter before every flight day and after every refueling.
Findings
- The primary contributing factor was the failure to drain fuel sumps during the pre-flight inspection.
- This omission likely allowed contaminants or water to remain in the fuel system, leading to the engine's uneven operation during the takeoff roll.
Safety action
Following the incident, the operator implemented the following preventive measures:
- Conducted training regarding aircraft refueling procedures and pre-flight inspection protocols.
- Increased the frequency of audits to ensure fuel drainage logs match fuel consumption records.