Incident Overview
On 14 May 2021, a pilot arrived at Wrocław Szymanów airfield (EPWS) intending to fly a Tecnam P2008JC, registration SP-AWR, to Rzeszów Jasionka (EPRZ). After refueling and preflight preparations, the pilot conducted a fuel drain check and found cloudy fuel from both wing tanks—approximately 0.8 liters from the left and 0.6 liters from the right. The pilot left clean fuel samples at the designated location and proceeded with the engine run-up, which revealed no anomalies. The flight departed as planned.
Sequence of Events
Approximately one hour into the flight, while cruising at 5,000 feet near Częstochowa, the pilot switched the fuel tank selector from left to right. Shortly thereafter, the engine began losing power, with RPM dropping to minimal. The pilot declared an emergency to FIS Kraków and indicated an intention to land at Rudniki airfield (EPRU). At about 2,500 feet, 6 nautical miles southwest of EPRU, the engine stopped completely and could not be restarted. Unable to reach the airfield, the pilot opted for a forced landing on the A1 highway. The landing was executed without further incident. After exiting the aircraft, the pilot, assisted by a witness, pushed the aircraft to the edge of a slip road and secured it until emergency services arrived.
Outcome and Investigation
No injuries were reported, and the aircraft and highway infrastructure sustained no damage. The pilot held valid qualifications and a medical certificate. The aircraft was insured and had up-to-date maintenance documentation. A breathalyzer test on the pilot yielded a result of 0.00 mg/L. Fuel samples taken from the aircraft's tanks revealed significant water content.
Contributing Circumstances
The investigation identified two factors that facilitated the incident: (1) The fuel was supplied from storage containers (drums) that did not meet requirements for aviation fuel storage; (2) After draining a substantial amount of cloudy fuel from both tanks, the pilot did not consult with maintenance personnel.
Preventive Actions
In response, the aircraft operator implemented several safety measures: (1) updated and clarified refueling and fuel control procedures; (2) conducted training for technical and flight personnel on refueling and interpreting fuel quality anomalies; and (3) introduced a certified fuel storage tank with dewatering and filtration systems, protected from weather exposure.
Conclusion
No additional safety recommendations were issued.