What happened
On December 4, 2022, a Cessna 150G, registration PT-DUQ, was conducting a flight training mission consisting of four navigation stages. The flight originated from Aeródromo Clube Estância Ouro Verde in Santa Rita, PB, with the intention of completing a circuit that included stops at various aerodromes, including São José de Mipibu, RN. The crew consisted of an instructor and a student pilot.
During the final leg of the flight, while cruising at 1,000 feet AGL, the engine suffered a sudden failure approximately 3.5 nautical miles from the destination. The instructor took control of the aircraft and initiated a left turn to select a suitable landing site. The aircraft subsequently performed an emergency landing in a sugarcane plantation near Nísia Floresta, RN. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, but both occupants emerged uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's fuel system, engine, and maintenance records. The investigation confirmed that the fuel lines, shutoff valve, fuel filter, and ignition plugs were all in proper working order. The engine was tested at idle and through magneto checks, showing no signs of internal mechanical failure or abnormal noise.
Analysis of the wreckage revealed that the left wing tank was completely empty, while the right wing tank contained approximately 2 liters of fuel, which was below the manufacturer's specified unuseable fuel limit. Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's logbooks and flight records. While the aircraft had undergone a 50-hour inspection recently, the investigation focused on the fuel management during the day's operations. It was noted that the crew had been informed by another crew member that the aircraft was fueled, and they did not perform a visual check of the fuel levels using a dipstick, as required by the aircraft's operating manual.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion.
- The crew failed to perform the required visual fuel quantity checks before the flight stages.
- The crew relied on verbal information regarding the fuel level rather than verifying the quantity themselves.
- A complacent attitude regarding pre-flight inspections contributed to the occurrence.