History of the Flight
On 1 December 2017, a Piper Seneca PA-34 aircraft, registration VT-BCA, operated by The Bombay Flying Club, was conducting a cross-country training flight from Surat to Dhule. The flight departed Surat at 1339 UTC and climbed to flight level 70. Approximately 45 to 50 nautical miles from Surat, the aircraft encountered cloud. The crew deviated left to avoid the weather but remained in clouds. They then deviated right while climbing. After exiting the clouds, the crew turned left to intercept the track to Dhule and informed Dhule ATC of the deviation.
At about 24 nautical miles from Dhule, the chief flying instructor (CFI) noted low fuel and leaned the mixture further. Fuel levels continued to decrease, and the CFI planned a straight-in approach to runway 09 using GPS. The crew requested priority landing and reported being right of the assigned track. Dhule ATC approved the straight-in approach.
During the approach, the left engine failed first. The CFI feathered the left propeller. Shortly after, the right engine also failed. The CFI turned right to avoid a residential area, lowered the nose, and reduced speed to approximately 80 knots. The crew informed Dhule ATC of a forced landing due to dual engine failure. The last altimeter reading was 2000 feet. The aircraft struck an electric wire, breaking the windshield, and then settled on its belly on the ground. The landing gear remained retracted. No fire occurred.
Injuries and Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage. Of the six occupants, the CFI (an ATPL holder) and one student pilot (pilot monitoring) suffered minor injuries. Among the four student pilots in passenger seats, two had minor injuries and two had none. The aircraft was evacuated through the rear door; all electrical switches were turned off.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was that the aircraft had taken off with less fuel than required due to erroneous fuel planning, resulting in both engines flaming out in flight and a forced landing with substantial damage.