What happened
On 13 November 2021, an Aeroprakt A-32, registration A6-XII, operated by AlJazirah Aviation Club, was performing a scheduled first-experience flight at Al Jazirah Airport in the United Arab Emirates. Shortly after the aircraft lifted off, the engine ceased operation while the aircraft was still in a climb attitude.
In the moments following the engine shutdown, the pilot attempted to turn the aircraft to the left to land near the runway. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered a stall, causing the nose to drop abruptly. The aircraft subsequently impacted a sandy area approximately 230 meters from the runway threshold. The impact resulted in serious injuries to both the pilot and the passenger, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
Investigators from the GCAA AAIS reviewed CCTV footage and conducted flight simulations to reconstruct the event. The investigation examined the pilot's pre-flight activities, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the mechanical state of the engine.
Analysis of the engine performance during the accident was compared to a simulated shutdown. The investigators found that the engine behavior during the flight was nearly identical to a shutdown caused by fuel starvation. Physical inspection of the aircraft revealed that the fuel shutoff valve was in the closed position. While it could not be determined if the valve was left closed from the start or moved during the flight, the investigation established that the engine loss was consistent with the valve being closed.
Findings
- The engine shutdown was caused by fuel starvation resulting from the fuel shutoff valve being in the closed position.
- The pilot failed to perform a complete pre-flight walk-around or follow the full standard operating procedures (SOP) for the pre-flight checklist.
- The pilot's decision-making following the engine failure deviated from established SOPs; instead of maintaining runway heading and airspeed, the pilot attempted a left turn and a pitch-up maneuver.
- The pilot's actions led to an aerodynamic stall and subsequent ground impact.
- Overconfidence contributed to the pilot's decision to bypass checklists, as the pilot stated they relied on memory due to frequent experience with the aircraft type.