Cessna 340A D-ICFG Diverts to Flores Island After Fuel Emergency

Incident Overview On 29 October 2007, a Cessna 340A RAM III with registration D-ICFG departed St. John’s International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada, bound for João Paulo II International Airport in Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal. The aircraft carried one pilot and one passenger. During the transatlantic crossing, the pilot reported conditions that differed from the forecast, including stronger headwinds and entry into dense cumulonimbus cloud coverage. The aircraft encountered icing on its wings, and indicated airspeed decreased by 20 knots. ## Flight History and Decision to Divert The pilot had selected a route via the Azores after weather briefings from the German Weather Service (DWD) indicated it was the safest option. Despite initial headwinds, the pilot continued the flight, believing spare fuel would be sufficient. However, after encountering icing and reassessing fuel reserves, the pilot concluded that reaching the destination might compromise the ability to reach an alternate airport or hold. The pilot then contacted Santa Maria Air Traffic Control and requested a diversion to Flores Island, the first island in the Azores archipelago. ## Emergency Declaration and Landing The pilot was informed that an emergency declaration was required to divert and land at Flores Island. After declaring an emergency due to fuel shortage, the aircraft made an uneventful landing at Flores Island at 17:59 UTC. The report notes that the aircraft still had enough fuel to reach the destination at the time of the diversion. ## Aircraft and Personnel The Cessna 340A is a six-seat pressurized twin-piston aircraft. The specific aircraft, serial number 340A-0537, was manufactured in 1978 and operated by Air 7 GmbH. The pilot was a 59-year-old German national holding a commercial pilot license with 3,149 total flight hours and 925 hours on type. ## Outcome There were no injuries to the crew or passenger, and no damage to the aircraft or third parties. The incident was investigated by the Portuguese Gabinete de Prevenção e Investigação de Acidentes com Aeronaves (GPIAA).