What happened
On February 17, 2020, a Cirrus SR-22, registration VT-VDN, was conducting a positioning flight from Mysore to Vijaynagar when the pilot encountered an engine abnormality. While cruising at FL65, the pilot-in-command noticed engine roughness accompanied by fuel seeping from the top of the engine cowling. Although initial engine parameters appeared to be within normal limits, the fuel leakage and engine vibration intensified as the pilot attempted to climb.
Recognizing the developing situation, the pilot decided to execute a forced landing. After identifying a suitable flat area in a barren field near Eradikera, Anantapur, the pilot performed the landing. The aircraft touched down on its main landing gear and traveled approximately 1,013 feet before coming to a stop. The pilot and a passenger evacuated the aircraft safely, and no injuries were reported.
The investigation
The investigation by AAIB India focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the engine's recent maintenance. The aircraft had recently undergone a significant engine replacement on February 3, 2020, after being grounded for several months. Prior to the incident, the aircraft had completed two test flights and one flight for the renewal of its Certificate of Airworthiness, with no abnormalities reported during those operations.
Upon inspection at the landing site, investigators identified fuel seepage originating from a factory-installed blanking nut on the engine's Fuel Flow Divider unit. Further testing during a ground run revealed that the leakage worsened when the booster pump was operated at high pressure.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating with a newly installed engine that had only accumulated 12.05 flight hours since installation.
- The primary cause of the incident was fuel leakage from a factory-fitted blanking nut located on the Fuel Flow Divider unit of the engine.
- The pilot successfully identified the hazard and executed a controlled forced landing, preventing a more serious accident.
- No injuries were sustained by the crew or the passenger, and the aircraft sustained only minor damage to a landing gear fairing.