Incident Overview
On 13 May 2015, at approximately 1025 UTC, a Cessna U206G Stationair (registration G-CCSN) was conducting an aerial work flight with one pilot and two passengers on board. The aircraft was on a late downwind leg for landing at Strathallan Airfield, Perthshire, when the engine stopped.
Pilot Actions
The pilot immediately checked the engine controls, including the magneto switches and fuel selector, but found nothing abnormal. He continued with a glide approach, retracted the flaps to the up position, and turned onto the runway heading. Despite these efforts, the aircraft could not reach the airfield and made a heavy landing in a field short of the runway.
Damage and Injuries
The heavy landing resulted in the nose landing gear detaching and the rear fuselage breaking. One passenger sustained a minor injury; the crew and the other passenger were uninjured. The aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair.
Post-Accident Examination
The aircraft operator, who witnessed the accident, arrived at the scene quickly. In the presence of another witness, he removed the fuel caps and dipped his fingers into the tanks, estimating both tanks to be approximately half to three-quarters full. He took fuel samples and inspected for obvious anomalies, finding none. He also checked for fuel in the injection system and found a normal amount. The operator then decided to run the engine. After recovery of the aircraft, the damaged propeller blades were cropped, the battery was reconnected, and the engine started and ran quite smoothly, despite the lack of propeller blades.
Investigation Status
As of the time of the AAIB Bulletin preparation, no obvious reason for the engine failure had been identified.
Probable Cause
Not stated.