Incident Overview
On 2 September 2016, a Piper PA-46-350 Malibu Mirage, registration D-EEEO, owned by a private individual, was conducting a flight from EPKT to LDSB. The aircraft had been fueled to capacity before departure. The pilot, an ATPL(A) holder, performed the pre-flight inspection, started the engine, completed all required tests, and departed. On board were the pilot and two passengers, along with baggage totaling approximately 60 kg.
Flight to the Prague FIR
The flight proceeded normally up to the boundary between Warsaw FIR and Prague FIR. After transitioning into the Prague FIR, while climbing to flight level 240, the engine shut down automatically.
Engine Shutdown and Restart
The pilot first stabilized the aircraft, then assessed the situation and attempted an engine restart. During the first attempt, the pilot noted a lack of fuel pressure in the fuel system. A second restart attempt was made using the emergency fuel pump, which succeeded. At that time, the aircraft had descended from its maximum reached altitude of FL231 to FL213. After the engine resumed operation, the aircraft climbed back to FL240 and continued to the destination airport, LDSB.
Post-Flight Actions
The pilot reported the incident via radio to the Prague FIR. The remainder of the flight was uneventful. After landing and parking at LDSB, the pilot performed tests on the fuel supply system using fuel pump No. 1, which revealed no abnormalities.
The pilot notified Porta Air Service, which serves as both CAMO and AMO for this aircraft (approvals DE.MG.0090 and DE.145.0090). The aircraft was subsequently taken to Porta Air Service in Germany for inspection, but the cause of the engine shutdown was not identified.
Investigation Outcome
The Polish State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) was notified of the incident by the operator on 29 November 2017. PKBWL contacted the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU), which stated that it had not been previously informed of the incident and would not investigate it. The incident was subject to mandatory reporting by the air traffic controller to the Czech Air Navigation Services Provider (CZ ANSP) and consequently to the Czech Air Accident Investigation Institute, but this reporting did not occur, so that body also did not investigate. The cause of the incident was not established.