What happened
On May 13, 2017, a Cessna T-188C Ag Husky, registration EC-ENC, was performing a test flight near the El Reboso airfield in Puebla del Río, Seville. The flight was intended as a maintenance test following a period of inactivity for the aircraft. After completing ground engine tests and verifying the aircraft's condition, the pilot departed for a short circuit flight.
During the initial climb, approximately 150 feet above the ground, the pilot experienced a severe loss of engine power and a drop in RPM. To maintain airspeed, the pilot lowered the nose and selected an adjacent flooded rice field as an emergency landing site. The aircraft struck the soft ground with a slight right wing tilt, sliding approximately 20 to 30 meters before coming to a halt. Immediately after the aircraft stopped, fire broke out on the right side of the cockpit. The pilot was able to evacuate the aircraft quickly through the left side, but the aircraft was soon fully engulfed in flames.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the engine components, and the circumstances of the flight. It was established that the aircraft was not formally airworthy at the time of the accident, as it was awaiting the replacement of certain engine components that lacked the necessary EASA or FAA certification.
Investigators performed a detailed teardown of the Continental TSIO-520-TI engine. While the examination did not reveal a specific mechanical failure or internal component malfunction that could explain the power loss, the condition of the propeller indicated that the engine was not producing significant power at the moment of impact. The investigation also noted that the aircraft had been inactive for nearly two years prior to the flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the emergency off-field landing following an engine failure during a test flight while the aircraft was not in an airworthy condition.
- The most probable cause of the engine failure was a failure in the fuel system due to inadequate maintenance.
- A contributing factor was the failure to follow established procedures for returning the aircraft to service.
- The post-impact fire was likely caused by fuel spilling from damaged lines and contacting hot engine components.
- The pilot sustained minor contusions but remained uninjured due to a rapid evacuation.