What happened
On March 22, 2018, a Cessna 210M, registration PR-COW, was performing a ferry flight from Terra Roxa, Paraná, to Araçatuba, São Paulo. The flight was being conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) with a single pilot on board. During the final approach to the Araçatuba State Airport (SBAU), the engine lost power, causing the aircraft to strike a fence approximately 200 meters from the runway threshold. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, though the pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance and operational history. While the pilot held valid medical and flight certifications and was experienced in the aircraft type, several discrepancies were noted regarding fuel management. The investigation found that the aircraft's fuel indicators were unreliable. Although the pilot had reported refueling the aircraft in Araçatuba two days prior, there was no official record of the remaining fuel volume at the time of departure from Terra Roxa.
During the approach, the pilot attempted to switch the fuel source from the right tank to the left tank via the fuel selector. Immediately following this maneuver, the engine failed. Post-crash inspection revealed a fuel leak from the right wing, suggesting residual fuel was still present in that tank. However, investigators found no fuel in the line feeding the engine's distributor valve, and evidence suggested the left wing tank was empty.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion (dry tank).
- The pilot's decision-making regarding fuel management contributed to the event.
- Inadequate flight planning regarding fuel reserves contributed to the event.
- The fuel selector was set to the left tank, which was empty at the time of the failure.