What happened
On November 17, 2008, at approximately 16:12 local time, a Cessna U206F, registration OB-1117, was conducting a scheduled 30-minute tourist flight over the Nazca Lines. The aircraft, operated by Nazca Airlines, was carrying one pilot and five passengers. After approximately 21 minutes of flight at 3,200 feet, the aircraft descended to 2,500 feet as instructed by the Nazca tower.
While flying east of a toll booth on the Panamericana Sur highway, the pilot experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control and performed a 180-degree right turn to execute an emergency landing on the highway. During the landing maneuver, the left wing of the aircraft struck a roadside sign, causing structural damage to the leading edge and the wing tip. There were no injuries to the pilot or the five passengers.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the engine failure and the operational environment of the operator. Investigators examined the aircraft's fuel levels, noting that the aircraft departed with 36 gallons of fuel (20 gallons in the left tank and 16 gallons in the right tank). The investigation found that the pilot had kept the fuel selector valve in the 'RIGHT' position throughout the flight.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's training records and the company's maintenance and operational procedures. The inquiry revealed that the aircraft's fuel quantity indicators were inoperative at the time of the investigation. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the company's training programs and the pilot's familiarity with the specific aircraft type.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was fuel exhaustion resulting from the pilot's failure to properly manage the fuel quantity in the active tank.
- The pilot maintained the fuel selector in the right tank position, which led to the depletion of available fuel.
- The aircraft's fuel quantity indicators were non-functional, preventing accurate monitoring of remaining fuel.
- The pilot had not completed the required transition or familiarity training for the Cessna U206F following a change in aircraft models.
- There was a lack of standardized operational procedures within Nazca Airlines regarding fuel replenishment and verification.
- The pilot and the operations manager were unaware of specific fuel system limitations outlined in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) regarding uncoordinated flight and fuel levels.