History of Occurrence
On 29 August 2021, at approximately 18:30 local time, a Cessna 172F aircraft, registered D-EABG, was involved in an aviation event near the Cioca aerodrome in Timiș County. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, had performed multiple flights earlier that day with a passenger, all without incident. After a few hours on the ground, the pilot decided to conduct another flight without a passenger. At 18:25, he began inspecting and preparing the aircraft for flight. Four minutes after engine start, the aircraft took off heading 230°. Upon reaching 800 ft, the pilot initiated a right turn while climbing. Shortly after beginning the turn, he noticed a decrease in engine speed. He operated the throttle but with no effect. Hoping the engine would recover, he also moved the fuel selector through different positions without visually checking it. These actions did not improve engine operation, so the pilot chose a field for an emergency landing. The field was wet and slippery, causing the aircraft to skid after touchdown. The nose landing gear broke, and the rear fuselage and the tip of the left wing touched the ground, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot left the aircraft alone and sustained no bodily injuries.
Analysis of Fuel System
The investigation commission analyzed the fuel supply system of the Cessna FR 172F aircraft (note: the occurrence aircraft is a Cessna 172F). The fuel selector has positions for LEFT, BOTH, RIGHT, and OFF (shut-off). The system includes a consumption tank with a capacity of one gallon (approximately 4 liters). For aircraft D-EABG, the investigation found that the fuel selector position indication for the OFF position was not legible. After the occurrence, the selector was found close to the OFF position. Even though the pilot rotated the selector through different positions during the emergency, the rapid movements did not allow sufficient time for fuel to supply from any of the two tanks.
According to the pilot's statement, the engine start and before takeoff procedures were likely not completed as per the aircraft flight manual, which requires checking the fuel selector and shut-off valve. The investigation concluded that, most probably, the pilot started the engine and took off with the fuel selector in the OFF position, meaning the engine was supplied only from the consumption tank. In the given flight conditions, the fuel quantity in the consumption tank ensured engine operation for approximately five minutes.
Conclusions
The investigation determined that due to incomplete completion of the engine start checklist (Before Start) and before takeoff checklist, the aircraft took off with the fuel selector incorrectly positioned. The engine ran using only the fuel in the consumption tank. When that fuel was consumed, the engine began to malfunction, prompting the pilot to perform an emergency landing. The obstruction of the field over which the aircraft was flying reduced landing options; the chosen field was wet and slippery. After touchdown, the aircraft skidded, the nose landing gear broke, and the rear fuselage and left wing tip sustained substantial damage.