What happened
On November 23, 2004, a Cessna TU-206-G, registration EC-EJH, departed from Castellón Aerodrome for a local flight to test communication equipment. After ascending to 3,500 ft and performing tests near Cabanes, the pilot began a return flight along the coastline. While flying at 800 ft in level flight, the engine experienced a sudden loss of manifold pressure. The pilot attempted to restore engine power by manually adjusting the throttle, propeller, and mixture levers, but the engine failed to restart despite attempts to use the auxiliary fuel pump.
During the engine failure, the aircraft entered a series of steep turns near Oropesa. The aircraft eventually impacted the Mediterranean Sea approximately 50 meters from the shore at Playa de Voramar. The impact was violent, causing the aircraft to sink, leaving only the tail and the tip of the right wing above the water. All 3 occupants (the pilot and two passengers) managed to evacuate the aircraft on their own, though the pilot sustained a head injury and the passengers suffered minor injuries.
The investigation
The CIAIAC examined the wreckage after it was recovered from the sea. Inspections of the Continental TSIO-520-M engine and its systems revealed no mechanical failures or obstructions in the fuel or air intake systems. The fuel tanks contained sufficient fuel, though the left tank was below one-quarter capacity. Testing of the magnetos, fuel injectors, and the turbocharger showed they were all functioning correctly.
Radar analysis confirmed that the aircraft performed several tight left-hand turns in the Oropesa area during the final minutes of flight. Additionally, the investigation noted that the pilot did not follow the manufacturer's recommended in-flight restart procedure or the specific landing configuration (extending flaps) for a water landing, as the pilot believed there was insufficient time to do so.
Findings
- The engine failure was not caused by a mechanical malfunction or a failure of the aircraft's systems.
- The left fuel tank was at a level of less than one-quarter capacity; according to the flight manual, fuel levels this low can lead to engine failure during prolonged uncoordinated turns.
- Inadequate engine management is the most probable cause of the engine stoppage, potentially involving improper mixture settings or abrupt control inputs during maneuvers.
- The pilot failed to execute the prescribed in-flight restart procedure and did not extend the flaps to prepare for the water landing.