What happened
On April 9, 2008, at approximately 20:33 UTC, a Cessna U206C, registration OB-1266, operated by Aero Ica S.R.L., departed from the María Reiche Newman Aerodrome in Nasca, Peru. The flight was intended to perform sightseeing maneuvers over the Nasca Lines.
Shortly after takeoff, at approximately 20:34 UTC, the pilot declared an emergency and indicated an intention to divert to a nearby private landing field known as Barraco. During the subsequent attempt to return to runway 07, the aircraft struck a public lighting pole and then collided with a six-meter-high wall on the third floor of a residence located in the approach path of runway 07. The impact caused the aircraft to strike the ground nose-first, resulting in the aircraft flipping and the engine separating from the fuselage. The aircraft was destroyed by the forces of impact.
While the pilot survived the accident, the five passengers on board were killed.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation focused on the sequence of events following the emergency declaration and the mechanical state of the aircraft. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's training history, and the fuel management procedures of the operator. The investigation also looked into the presence of structural obstacles in the flight path near the aerodrome.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the inadequate control of fuel quantity by the pilot, which led to an insufficient amount of usable fuel and the subsequent total loss of power and engine shutdown shortly after takeoff.
- The pilot's decision to attempt a return to runway 07 was made while the aircraft was at a low altitude and low airspeed.
- There were deficiencies in the operator's systems for the acquisition, refueling, and monitoring of fuel consumption.
- The pilot had not completed the required transition training for the Cessna U206C as specified in the company's manual.
- The investigation noted the presence of unauthorized or unmitigated construction/obstacles in the runway projection area.