Accident Summary
A solo executive flight departing from Cologne Airport en route to Ostend ended in a crash during the approach phase. While descending to the destination airport, the pilot was positioning the aircraft for a visual approach with a tailwind when both engines stopped simultaneously. The pilot informed air traffic control that he could not reach the airport, reduced altitude, and attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft subsequently crashed in an open field located in Snaaskerke, approximately 4 kilometers southeast of the airport. The pilot sustained injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
Findings
According to the official investigation, the cause of the emergency landing was the nearly simultaneous failure of both engines due to a lack of fuel, resulting from prolonged usage of the auxiliary fuel tanks. The following specific findings were identified:
- During the cruise flight, both engines were connected to the auxiliary fuel tanks.
- After 38 minutes of flight, both engines shut down almost simultaneously due to a lack of fuel.
- The pilot did not pay sufficient attention to the fuel levels in the auxiliary tanks and did not monitor the gauges for these tanks.
- The pilot disregarded the recommendation in the Owner’s Manual not to use the auxiliary tanks during final approach below 1,000 feet.
- The pilot failed to perform the critical actions necessary for a rapid restart of the engines.
- The pilot did not follow the recommended procedure for a forced landing with both engines out.
- The flight ended in a stall at very low altitude.
- There was sufficient fuel remaining in both main tanks.
These factors collectively led to the loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.