Flight Details
The flight originated at Sarlat-Domme Airport with the pilot and two passengers for a training mission over the Bordeaux region. After completing a precision approach and go-around at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, the pilot closed the IFR flight plan and continued under VFR to Bordeaux-Léognan-Saucats Aerodrome, where a landing was performed. One passenger deplaned while the engine remained running. The aircraft departed minutes later for Bergerac, where a refueling was planned.
Engine Failure and Emergency Landing
Approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, while cruising at 2,000 feet, both engines failed. The pilot reduced altitude, selected landing gear down, and attempted an emergency landing in a vineyard. Upon touchdown, the undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft slid for several dozen metres before coming to rest. Both occupants escaped uninjured, but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be failure of both engines in flight due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot had taken off with 800 pounds of fuel on board, believing this quantity was sufficient for one and a half hours of flight, which corresponds to an autonomy of 800 liters. The actual fuel quantity was insufficient for the planned flight and lacked required reserves. The double engine failure is believed to have resulted from the pilot mistaking pounds for liters (livres for litres in French). Additionally, the lack of a preflight visual check of the fuel gauges prevented the pilot from noticing the error.