What happened
On 18 February 2023, a Skyranger microlight, registration 988FC, was conducting a local flight from the Nakutakob microlight strip in Païta, New Caledonia. The pilot was accompanied by a second microlight in a formation flight within class G airspace. During the flight, the pilot notified the accompanying aircraft that he was experiencing engine issues and intended to return to the departure strip.
Shortly after this communication, the engine failed completely. The pilot attempted an off-airfield forced landing on a landfill site. The landing area featured a downward slope and a tailwind component. While the pilot attempted to avoid a pile of stones at the edge of the site, the aircraft's wheels touched down near the far end of the flat area, resulting in a collision with a bank several meters high. The impact was followed by a fire that prevented witnesses from reaching the pilot. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The investigation examined the wreckage, site conditions, and witness statements. Investigators reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history, noting that the microlight had been returned to flight configuration in late 2022 after being grounded for approximately three years.
Interviews with a mechanic and flight instructor revealed that the aircraft had a history of fuel-related issues. Specifically, the mechanical fuel pump was due for replacement, and an electric pump had been installed as a backup. Furthermore, the pilot had performed repairs on the fuel tanks and hoses using resin fiber on the morning of the accident to address leaks.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the engine failure during the approach to the forced landing site.
- The pilot's attempt to land on the landfill site was complicated by a tailwind and a downward slope, which likely contributed to the aircraft's inability to stop before hitting the bank.
- While the exact cause of the power loss was not definitively established, investigators could not rule out a malfunction of the mechanical fuel pump or a fuel supply interruption caused by the recent repairs to the fuel tanks and hoses.