What happened
On August 15, 2008, at 11:25 local time, a REIMS CESSNA F-172-P, registration EC-EKF, departed from runway 02 at Jerez Airport, Spain, for a planned 40-minute local visual flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and two passengers.
During the initial climb, at an altitude of approximately 300 ft, the pilot observed a drop in engine RPM, followed by a complete engine failure. Due to the low altitude and insufficient airspeed to execute a turn, the pilot performed an emergency landing in a cornfield located at the end of the runway. During the landing roll, the nose wheel struck an uneven patch of ground, causing the aircraft to capsize and end up in an inverted position after traveling approximately 20 meters. All three occupants escaped the aircraft without injury, though they sustained minor bruises. The aircraft sustained major damage, including deformations to the lower fuselage, the right wing and strut, the left outer wing, and the tail section.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the cause of the engine failure and the fuel levels at the time of the accident. Investigators examined the fuel system, including the fuel selector, filter, and carburetor. Post-accident measurements showed that the left tank contained approximately 8.5 gallons (32.2 L) and the right tank contained nearly 4 gallons (15 L). After accounting for non-usable fuel, the usable fuel in the left tank was 6.5 gallons and the right tank was approximately 2 gallons.
An inspection of the engine at a workshop revealed no mechanical anomalies or defects. Furthermore, no fuel leaks were found at the crash site. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's recent fueling history, noting that the last refueling occurred the previous day, and the aircraft had completed several flights shortly before the accident.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by an interruption of the fuel supply.
- At the time of the engine failure, the fuel levels were critically low; the usable fuel in the right tank represented only about 3% of the total capacity.
- According to the aircraft flight manual, low fuel levels can lead to fuel starvation during maneuvers such as climbs, turns, or slips, as fuel may move away from the intake points, allowing air into the lines.
- The engine failure occurred during the climb phase, and the subsequent emergency landing maneuver likely allowed fuel to re-enter the carburetor, as the fuel lines were found to be full during the investigation.