What happened
On May 30, 2020, a Cessna 182 C engaged in a skydiving operation departed from the Ailertchen airfield (EDGA) for its tenth scheduled flight of the day. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and four skydivers. Following the deployment of the jumpers, the aircraft entered a descent characterized by a long, shallow right-hand turn.
During this descent, the pilot noticed a rapid drop in engine temperature on the electronic monitoring instrument. Despite attempts to compensate by increasing manifold pressure, the engine eventually failed completely. The pilot attempted several restart procedures according to the pilot's operating handbook but was unsuccessful. Realizing the airfield was no longer reachable due to the low altitude, the pilot attempted to maneuver toward a nearby meadow to perform an emergency landing. During this turn, the aircraft struck a 220,000-volt high-voltage power line, causing an electrical arc. The aircraft subsequently crashed into the attic of a single-family home, destroying the aircraft and causing significant damage to the building. The pilot sustained one serious injury but managed to escape the wreckage.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined the aircraft's fuel management, the engine's performance, and the pilot's emergency procedures. Investigators reviewed fuel logs, which showed the aircraft had been refueled throughout the day. Data from an electronic engine monitoring instrument (EDM 730) confirmed a rapid decline in exhaust gas temperature during the descent. Radar data and GPS records documented the steep descent and the flight path leading to the collision. The investigation also analyzed the aircraft's fuel levels, noting that approximately 14 gallons of usable fuel remained, which was distributed between the two wing tanks.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was fuel starvation resulting from an insufficient fuel quantity to maintain the fuel pickup during a steep descent and turning maneuver.
- The pilot's decision to focus on engine restart attempts without first identifying and committing to a suitable emergency landing site left insufficient altitude to reach a safe field.
- The low fuel level was particularly critical as the descent profile likely caused the fuel to move away from the tank outlets.
- The collision with the power lines and the subsequent impact with the residential structure were unavoidable once the aircraft's flight path was compromised by the engine failure and subsequent maneuvering.