What happened
On January 12, 2022, a Cessna A185F, registration PT-KBW, was performing a private flight from Aeródromo Fazenda Dois Irmãos to Aeródromo Fazenda Matrinchã in Mato Grosso, Brazil. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and two passengers. After a 25-minute cruise, the pilot spent an additional 45 minutes flying at low altitude and low speed to survey a property.
During this low-altitude maneuvering, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to restart the engine by switching the fuel selector valve to the left tank and engaging the auxiliary fuel pump; however, the restart was unsuccessful. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing in a high-grass plantation. The impact caused the left wing to rupture and damaged the landing gear, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot and two passengers sustained light injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the fuel management and the pilot's response to the engine failure. Investigators found that the aircraft was within weight and balance limits and that all maintenance records, including the most recent 100-hour inspection, were up to date. No mechanical failures were identified in the fuel system or engine components.
The investigation established that the pilot had underestimated the fuel consumption rate. While the pilot estimated a consumption of 50 liters per hour, the manufacturer's performance tables indicated a higher rate of approximately 58 to 68 liters per hour for the flight conditions. Furthermore, the pilot had failed to switch the fuel selector valve from the right tank to the left tank during the extended low-altitude flight, leading to the depletion of the right tank's fuel.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion in the right fuel tank.
- The pilot failed to switch fuel tanks during the flight, likely due to a lack of attention caused by the high workload of low-altitude maneuvering.
- The pilot's attempt to restart the engine did not follow the specific procedures outlined in the aircraft's Owner's Manual, which may have delayed the engine's recovery.
- The pilot's limited experience with this specific aircraft model contributed to the improper execution of emergency procedures.
- The pilot's estimation of fuel consumption was inaccurate compared to the manufacturer's specifications.