What happened
On July 23, 2005, at 10:14 local time, a Cessna 172N, registration D-ELBW, departed from Valencia Airport for a planned flight to Muchamiel. The aircraft, operated by East Point Aviation, was configured for aerial advertising, carrying banners and promotional equipment.
Approximately twelve minutes after takeoff, while flying at a low altitude near Sollana, the aircraft lost radio and radar contact. The aircraft was observed flying at a constant speed of 60 knots. Witnesses reported the aircraft flying parallel to an old dirt airstrip before performing a left turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft lost altitude and struck the ground with its left wing, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and the death of the pilot.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's wreckage, fuel system, and flight records. Investigators found the engine and propeller showed no signs of mechanical failure prior to impact, and the propeller blades lacked the typical twisting pattern associated with high-power impacts, suggesting the engine was not producing power at the time of impact.
Analysis of the fuel system revealed that the fuel selector valve was set to the LEFT position, meaning the engine was being supplied exclusively from the left tank. While the right tank was empty, the left tank contained approximately 25 liters of fuel. The investigation also noted that while the aircraft had been used for advertising flights previously, it did not have the necessary authorization from the DGAC to perform advertising operations at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The pilot performed a left turn while the fuel selector was set to the LEFT tank, which is contrary to the flight manual's recommendation to use the BOTH position during maneuvers.
- During the left turn, the centrifugal force caused the remaining fuel to shift to the far end of the left wing, leading to fuel starvation.
- The engine failure occurred at a very low altitude, leaving the pilot with insufficient time to recover the aircraft.
- The aircraft was operating without the required regulatory authorization for aerial advertising.