What happened
On September 27, 2016, a student pilot was conducting solo training flights at the Allendorf/Eder airfield. Having recently completed flight training on a Cessna 172, the pilot had requested an orientation flight in a Piper PA 28-180 to prepare for an upcoming practical exam. Following a 30-minute instructional flight with an instructor, the pilot began solo circuit patterns.
During the sixth circuit, the pilot reported a loss of engine power via radio. Shortly thereafter, at approximately 17:50, the pilot reported a total engine failure while flying over a forested area on the downwind leg of the circuit. Unable to reach the airfield, the aircraft entered a glide and collided with trees. The impact caused the aircraft to strike the ground on its right side, resulting in the destruction of the Piper PA 28-180 and serious injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the fuel management practices and the adequacy of the transition training. Investigators examined the aircraft's fuel system, noting that the tank selector was set to the right tank. While the right tank was empty, approximately 20 liters of fuel remained in the left tank. The investigation also reviewed the ground briefing and the instructional flight, finding that the pilot had been shown how to operate the tank selector, which is a significant difference from the Cessna 172 the pilot was accustomed to using.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion.
- The pilot had been drawing fuel exclusively from the right tank during the instructional flight and subsequent solo circuits, failing to notice the declining fuel levels.
- The ground briefing was insufficient, lasting only 30 minutes, which was well below the recommended two-hour period for familiarizing oneself with a new aircraft type.
- The instructional flight was too short to ensure the pilot had mastered the specific fuel management requirements of the aircraft.
- The instructor did not provide sufficient oversight or radio prompts during the solo circuits to ensure the student was monitoring fuel levels correctly.