What happened
On April 2, 2009, a Piper PA-46-350P, registration PT-WJP, departed from Guaratinguetá (SBGW) for an instrument flight rules (IFR) training circuit. The flight was intended to include procedures at São José dos Campos (SBSJ) and return to the departure airfield. During the flight, the pilot transitioned from IFR to visual flight rules (VFR) after an approach at SBSJ was aborted.
While near Taubaté, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to restart the engine in flight but was unsuccessful. After declaring an emergency and coordinating with Taubat and ATC, the pilot attempted an approach to Taubaté (SBTA). However, the aircraft could not reach the runway and performed a forced landing in an open field approximately 1,000 meters from the threshold of runway 08. The pilot sustained minor injuries, but the aircraft suffered severe damage to the fuselage, landing gear, engine, wings, and propeller.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators determined that the engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion. Although the aircraft had departed with sufficient fuel, the wing tanks were empty at the time of the accident. The investigation revealed that the fuel quantity indicator was providing inaccurate readings, which prevented the pilot from realizing the low fuel state.
Furthermore, the investigation examined the pilot's qualifications and the aircraft's maintenance history. It was noted that the pilot's instrument rating (MNFR) had expired, and the pilot was conducting the IFR training flight without a qualified instructor. The investigation also identified discrepancies in the aircraft's maintenance logs regarding standardized terminology and required signatures.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was fuel exhaustion in the wing tanks.
- The fuel quantity indicator was not compatible with the actual amount of fuel remaining in the tanks.
- The pilot's decision-making was compromised by the decision to conduct IFR training without an instructor while holding an expired instrument rating.
- The pilot's low situational awareness and potential loss of focus during complex IFR procedures contributed to the failure to monitor fuel consumption.
- The pilot had limited experience in this specific aircraft model.