Synopsis
On 23 September 2021 at approximately 16:10 UTC, a Partenavia P68 Victor aircraft, registration F-HIRD, operated by Action Communication (trading as Action Air Environnement), was conducting a marine wildlife survey flight off the south-east coast of Ireland. The aircraft had departed Waterford Airport at 11:08 UTC with one pilot and three task specialists on board. The task specialists were members of an environmental research team. During the flight, the right engine stopped, and shortly afterward the left engine experienced repeated power losses. The pilot executed a forced landing on a beach near Carnsore Point, County Wexford.
History of the Flight
The aircraft's seating layout consisted of two rows of two seats and a bench seat at the rear; during the accident flight, one task specialist occupied the front right seat next to the pilot, two others sat in the row behind, and the rear bench was unoccupied. The survey flight plan included 16 pre-defined lines flown at approximately 250–300 feet altitude and 100 knots, spaced about 4 km apart, each line about 45 km long. After completing the planned lines in about four and a half hours, the pilot, after consulting the task specialists, determined that sufficient fuel remained to fly two additional lines while preserving reserves. Shortly after commencing the second extra line, the right engine stopped while the aircraft was at about 300 feet and 105 knots. Recorded data showed the aircraft then climbed to approximately 500 feet. The pilot reported that the climb was slower than expected on the left engine alone. While still climbing at around 500 feet, the left engine experienced a significant loss of power but did not stop completely. The left engine power recovered but then loss and recovery repeated, causing the aircraft to descend and turn left. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing on the beach near Carnsore Point.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot and one task specialist sustained serious injuries. The two other task specialists suffered minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. There was no fire.
Investigation and Probable Cause
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of Ireland conducted the investigation. The aircraft was recovered to the AAIU secure wreckage examination facility at Gormanston, County Meath. The investigation determined the probable cause to be separate interruptions to the fuel supply of each engine while operating at or below a quarter of the aircraft’s fuel tank capacity, which ultimately resulted in a forced landing. Contributory causes included a lack of clarity in the Aircraft Flight Manual limitations section regarding operations at less than quarter-tank fuel, and the potentially misleading configuration of the fuel selector panel, whose operation was not intuitive. As a result of the investigation, three safety recommendations were issued.