Engine failure due to fuel exhaustion leads to emergency landing in Meta, Colombia

Casualties unknown • Villavicencio, CO

A Cessna 182P experienced engine failure during descent near Villavicencio after the pilot failed to switch fuel tanks, resulting in an emergency landing and aircraft damage.

What happened

On November 23, 2012, at approximately 16:10 local time, a Cessna 182P, registration HK-1519, operated by Aeromenegua Ltda., was performing an air taxi flight on a route between Villavicencio and Cumaribo. After successfully completing the outbound leg with three passengers, the aircraft began its return flight to Villavicencio without passengers.

While descending at 2,500 feet, approximately six miles from the Villavicencio airport, the engine lost power and shut down. The pilot attempted to restart the engine without success and subsequently attempted an emergency landing at a nearby agricultural runway. The aircraft failed to reach the runway, instead impacting a field. During the landing sequence, the nose gear detached, and the aircraft slid into a ditch, causing damage to the propeller blade, the lower engine cowling, and the nose gear.

The investigation

The GRIAA investigation focused on the engine's performance, the fuel system integrity, and the pilot's operational procedures. Post-incident inspections of the engine and its accessories revealed no mechanical failures or oil deficiencies. The investigation also examined the fuel tanks; while the right tank contained approximately 15 gallons of fuel, the left tank was completely empty. No leaks or broken fuel lines were found in the system.

Investigators analyzed the flight logs, noting that the aircraft had been flying for 4 hours and 5 minutes. The pilot's medical certification and flight experience were reviewed, and no physiological or psychological impairments were identified. The weather conditions at the time of the incident were reported as stable with good visibility.

Findings

  • The engine shutdown was caused by fuel exhaustion in the left tank.
  • The pilot failed to perform the required fuel tank switch during the cruise phase of the flight.
  • The pilot's lack of attention to fuel management and flight planning led to the inadvertent use of the left tank until it was depleted.
  • The aircraft sustained damage to the nose gear, propeller, and cowling, but the pilot was able to evacuate the aircraft uninjured.

Probable cause

The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion in the left tank due to improper flight planning and a failure by the pilot to manage and switch fuel tanks during the cruise phase.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2012-11-23 182P accident near Villavicencio, CO?

A Cessna 182P experienced engine failure during descent near Villavicencio after the pilot failed to switch fuel tanks, resulting in an emergency landing and aircraft damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2012-11-23 involved a 182P, registration HK1519, at Villavicencio, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion in the left tank due to improper flight planning and a failure by the pilot to manage and switch fuel tanks during the cruise phase.

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