What happened
On August 8, 2015, a Cessna 182 aircraft, registration OO-VAK, was conducting a VFR flight from Valladolid, Spain, to Courtrai, Belgium. The flight included several previous stops, including Agadir, Morocco. While cruising at FL95 under VFR on-top conditions near Bordeaux, the pilot requested a descent to maintain visual meteorological conditions.
Upon descending to FL55, the pilot experienced engine roughness followed by a sudden and total loss of power. The pilot declared an emergency and was directed toward the Montendre aerodrome. During the descent, the pilot focused on managing the flight path and attempting to restore power, but was unable to reach the intended airfield. While attempting an emergency landing at low altitude, the aircraft struck an undetected concrete utility pole before coming to rest in a grove of trees. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the engine components, including the fuel system and carburetor. While the investigation could not definitively confirm the exact cause of the power loss, evidence of mineral and fibrous pollution was found throughout the fuel system, including the tanks, lines, and filters. This pollution originated from an external source and was not a component of the aircraft itself.
The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight planning and weather briefings. Although the pilot had reviewed METAR and TAF reports for Bordeaux and Paris, the investigation noted that the TEMSI weather charts, which indicated significant cloud layers and precipitation, had not been consulted during the stop in Valladolid. The investigation also noted that the carburetor heat was found in the 'cold' position, though carburetor icing was considered less likely based on pilot testimony.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a failed forced landing following an engine power loss.
- The loss of power may have been caused by the obstruction of a carburetor jet by a particle of the mineral pollution found in the fuel system.
- The failure to successfully execute the emergency landing was due to the pilot's focus on trajectory management and power restoration, a decision to continue toward Montendre despite low altitude, and reduced visibility which hindered the identification of a clear landing site.
- Insufficient consideration of the weather conditions during flight preparation and in-flight acted as a contributing factor, as the heavy cloud layers and low visibility increased the pilot's vulnerability during the engine failure.