Aircraft and Flight Details
The accident involved a Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2B-21 Islander, registration G-CIAS, serial number 2162, manufactured in 1982. It was powered by two Lycoming IO-540-K1B5 piston engines. The flight was categorised as private, conducted in a charitable search-and-rescue role.
Pre-Flight and Departure
On 3 November 2013, at approximately 1830 hrs, the duty pilot received a request to search for two fishermen near Les Écréhous. Weather conditions were poor with strong southerly winds gusting to 41 kt, turbulence, rain, cloud below 1,000 ft, and visibility 3–6 km. The crew, consisting of a pilot, search director, and three observers, donned immersion suits and life jackets. Pre-flight preparations were performed by a crew-member who did not check fuel quantities or drain water; he reported this omission to the pilot. The pilot conducted a walk-around but no formal pre-flight inspection; the technical log indicated wing tanks with 55 USG each side and tip tanks with 18 USG each side. The aircraft had previously flown with the fuel system configured to supply tip tank fuel; that configuration was not changed. After a rapid start and engine checks from memory, the aircraft took off into a strong crosswind.
The Flight
Climbing to 900 ft, the pilot found conditions “awful” with turbulence triggering the stall warner despite an indicated speed above 100 kt. He descended to 500–600 ft, flying by reference to the artificial horizon. While passing north of Jersey, the pilot noticed a change in engine note and applied hot air, which had little effect. The right-hand engine rpm surged; the pilot applied full throttle, set propellers to maximum rpm, and began climbing. He switched on electric fuel pumps and turned towards Jersey, making a MAYDAY call. Shortly after, the right-hand engine stopped; the pilot feathered the propeller. The left-hand engine then also stopped after brief rpm fluctuations. The pilot trimmed for a glide towards Jersey Airport, with limited visual references. Crew-members prepared for ditching.
Forced Landing and Aftermath
As the aircraft descended, the pilot heard the decision height callout at 200 ft radio height. He switched on landing lights and flared upon glimpsing something green. The aircraft touched down, slid downhill, passed through a hedge, and came to rest with its nose against a tree. All occupants vacated with difficulty; none were injured. The search director returned with firefighters to secure pyrotechnics and a life raft.
The investigation determined that the aircraft had operated a previous flight with the fuel system configured to supply tip tank fuel. The accident flight departed in the same configuration, and the engines stopped when the tip tank fuel became exhausted.