What happened
On May 9, 2024, an AT-3 R100, registration SP-GDW, operated by AERO AT, was conducting a series of flights starting from Kraków-Pobiednik Wielki (EPKP). After completing several training circuits and landings, the pilot and a passenger departed EPKP at 15:56 for a cross-country flight via Katowice Pyrzowice (EPKT) and Kraków-Balice (EPKK). Prior to this departure, the pilot had manually verified the fuel levels, finding approximately 48 liters in total.
During the flight, the pilot noticed a fuel level imbalance between the tanks and closed the fuel valve for the right tank to allow levels to equalize. After approximately 30 minutes, the valve was reopened. While holding at the ZULU waypoint in the Kraków-Balice (EPKK) control zone at 2,000 ft, the pilot noted a fuel reading of 36 liters. Shortly thereafter, the engine began to lose power and run unevenly, followed by a complete engine failure.
At an altitude of approximately 1,200 ft AGL, the pilot initiated an emergency approach to runway 25 at EPKK. During the descent, an attempt to restart the engine in flight was unsuccessful. The aircraft landed on the grass north of runway 25. There were no injuries to the occupants, and the aircraft sustained no damage. Upon landing, the pilot observed that the right tank was nearly empty while the left tank remained relatively full, contradicting previous cockpit indications. The engine was eventually restarted on the ground.
The investigation
The PKBWL reviewed documentation provided by the investigating entity to determine the sequence of events and the underlying causes of the engine failure.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by fuel starvation, as the fuel shifted toward the wingtip during a prolonged turn, rendering it inaccessible to the engine.
- The pilot lacked sufficient knowledge regarding the specific operation of the fuel system in the AT-3 R100.
- The pilot had limited flight experience on this specific aircraft type.
- The in-flight engine restart attempt failed because the pilot did not follow the full procedure, specifically omitting the activation of the "ENGINE BACKUP" emergency power supply.