Synopsis
On February 20, 2014, at approximately 4:20 p.m., a Cessna 172P (registration N83FR) operated as a private flight from Gregorio Luperón International Airport (MDPP) to Punta Cana International Airport (MDPC) was involved in a serious incident. The pilot declared an emergency to Punta Cana tower and executed a forced landing on Autovía del Coral near the municipality of El Macao, La Altagracia province. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the tip of the right wing and broke a traffic sign. The pilot and three passengers were uninjured.
Flight Details
The flight departed from Puerto Plata at 4:20 p.m. local time. During the flight, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power and communicated the emergency to air traffic control. The forced landing was carried out on the highway without injuries to occupants. Weather conditions at the time were described as favorable for visual flight operations, with forecasts for the area indicating mostly cloudy skies with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a 1982 Cessna 172P, serial number 172-75798, powered by a Lycoming O-320-D2J engine producing 150 hp. It had a total airframe time of 5,491.5 hours. The last 100-hour inspection was conducted on March 16, 2013. The pilot held a valid private pilot license with single-engine land and instrument ratings, and a medical certificate. He was Dominican, born August 1, 1983, and had accumulated 220 total flight hours, including 70 hours on the Cessna 172. His last flight review was on December 23, 2013. In the preceding 90 days, he had flown 30 hours; in the last 30 days, 15 hours; and none in the last 72 hours.
Investigative Findings
The investigation by the Dominican Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Commission (CIAA) found that the engine failure was due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot had not checked the fuel quantity before departure or during the flight. The aircraft was certified and maintained in accordance with regulations. No pre-existing mechanical issues were identified.
Probable Cause
The CIAA determined the probable cause of the serious incident to be fuel exhaustion in flight, resulting from the pilot's failure to verify the fuel state before departure and during the flight.