What happened
On February 20, 2014, at approximately 4:20 p.m., a Cessna 172P, registration N83FR, was conducting a private flight from Aeropuerto Internacional Gregorio Luperón (MDPP) to Aeropuerto Internacional Punta Cana (MDPC). While flying under visual flight rules (VFR), the aircraft experienced an engine failure approximately ten miles from its destination.
The pilot declared an emergency to the Punta Cana tower and performed a forced landing on the Autovía del Coral, near the municipality of El Macao in the La Altagracia province. During the landing sequence, the aircraft traveled roughly 300 meters before the right wing tip struck a roadside traffic sign. All four occupants (the pilot and three passengers) were uninjured and able to evacuate the aircraft on their own. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the right wing tip, and a traffic sign was broken during the incident.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation focused on the mechanical, human, and environmental factors surrounding the event. Investigators examined the aircraft's fuel system and found that the fuel tanks were completely empty at the time of the incident. However, subsequent testing showed no leaks in the fuel system, and the engine restarted successfully once fuel was replenished.
Medical examinations of the pilot yielded negative results for all tested controlled substances, and there was no evidence of physiological impairment. Meteorological conditions at the time of the event were found to be favorable for flight operations. The investigation also confirmed that the aircraft's maintenance was up to date, with the most recent 100-hour inspection completed in March 2013.
Findings
- The aircraft's fuel tanks contained no fuel at the time of the engine failure.
- There were no leaks or defects found within the fuel system.
- The engine functioned normally after being supplied with new fuel.
- The primary cause of the engine failure was fuel exhaustion resulting from the pilot's failure to calculate and carry the required amount of fuel for the flight.