Engine failure leads to forced landing of Cessna 182K in Brazil

Casualties unknown • IGARASSU, PE, BR

A Cessna 182K experienced an engine failure during a climb, resulting in a forced landing in dense vegetation near Igarassu, Brazil.

What happened

On November 1, 2014, a Cessna 182K, registration PR-YKS, departed from Aeródromo da Fazenda Cachoeirinha (SIFC) in Igarassu, Pernambuco, to perform a skydiving operation. The flight was being conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) in favorable meteorological conditions.

During the initial climb, at an altitude of approximately 450 feet, the pilot executed a left turn toward the designated drop zone. During this maneuver, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to follow the manufacturer's emergency procedures for an engine failure, but due to the low altitude, the pilot was forced to focus on selecting an emergency landing site. The aircraft struck the canopy of several trees before coming to a rest in a densely vegetated area. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. Of the five people on board, two passengers sustained serious injuries and three sustained minor injuries.

The investigation

CENIPA investigators examined the fuel system and the cockpit configuration following the accident. While the pilot had performed a pre-flight inspection using a manual method to check fuel levels, the investigation found that the left fuel tank was completely empty, while the right tank contained approximately 48 liters of fuel. The fuel selector valve was found damaged and positioned between the "LEFT" and "BOTH" settings.

Investigators also noted that the pilot reported the left fuel gauge was unreliable. Although the pilot believed the aircraft had approximately 150 liters of fuel at takeoff, the physical evidence indicated a lack of fuel supply to the engine. The investigation found no abnormalities in the fuel delivery or ignition systems that would have caused a mechanical failure.

Findings

  • The engine failure was caused by a lack of fuel supply to the engine.
  • The fuel selector valve was likely left in the "LEFT" position from a previous flight, leading to the total depletion of the left tank during the climb.
  • The pilot's failure to use a checklist likely resulted in the oversight of the fuel selector valve position during pre-flight preparations.
  • Contributing factors included pilot oversight and management supervision.

Probable cause

The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion in the left tank, resulting from the fuel selector being left in the 'LEFT' position, likely due to the pilot's failure to use a checklist during pre-flight.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2014-11-01 aircraft accident near IGARASSU, PE, BR?

A Cessna 182K experienced an engine failure during a climb, resulting in a forced landing in dense vegetation near Igarassu, Brazil.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2014-11-01 involved a aircraft, registration PRYKS, at IGARASSU, PE, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion in the left tank, resulting from the fuel selector being left in the 'LEFT' position, likely due to the pilot's failure to use a checklist during pre-flight.

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