What happened
On July 1, 2021, a Tecnam P2002-JF, registration EC-MOI, was performing a solo instructional flight from León to Burgos. During the flight, the student pilot reported that the fuel quantity indicators dropped to zero and noted abnormal engine performance, including fluctuating oil pressure and a lack of responsiveness to throttle changes. Fearing an engine failure, the pilot declared an emergency and requested an immediate landing at Burgos Airport.
While approaching runway 04 with a 6-knot tailwind, the pilot performed the landing at significantly higher speeds than recommended. The pilot reported flying at 77-80 KIAS on final approach and making touchdown at 70-72 KIAS, despite the manufacturer's recommendation of 51 KIAS for full flap configuration. During the landing roll, the nose gear collapsed, causing the propeller to strike the pavement. The aircraft slid along the runway before coming to a stop. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was uninjured.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation focused on verifying the reported engine and fuel system malfunctions. Technical inspections of the engine, including a functional test on a test bench, revealed no evidence of the anomalies reported by the pilot. The investigation found that the fuel pumps, carburetors, and fuel filters were all in normal working order. Furthermore, the condition of the propeller blades indicated that the engine was still producing power at the moment of touchdown, contradicting the pilot's claim that the engine had stopped in flight.
Investigators also analyzed the landing parameters. While the pilot's decision to declare an emergency was deemed appropriate given the perceived threat, the execution of the landing maneuver was scrutinized. The investigation noted that the aircraft's approach speed was far in excess of both the manufacturer's specifications and the operator's standard operating procedures.