Dual engine failure forces emergency landing in Colombia

Casualties unknown • Purísima, CO

A Piper PA-31 experienced total engine failure during climb-out near La Purísima, leading to an emergency landing in an unprepared field.

What happened

On April 9, 2017, a Piper PA-31 (registration HP1928) was performing a private flight from Cali to Tolú, Colombia. After a successful initial leg, the pilot intended to fly from Tolú to Montería to refuel before returning to Cali.

During the climb toward Montería, while flying over the town of La Purísima, both engines failed. The pilot attempted to return to Tolú, reporting engine issues to air traffic control, but the failure of the second engine occurred during a turn. The pilot was forced to perform an emergency landing in an unprepared field. While the aircraft was controlled during the descent, it struck the terrain during the landing roll, causing the nose gear to collapse and damaging the right wing after striking a bush. The pilot, the sole occupant, evacuated the aircraft uninjured.

The investigation

The GRIAA investigation focused on the fuel management and flight planning of the operation. Investigators found that the aircraft's internal tanks were empty at the time of the engine failure, while the external tanks still contained approximately one-quarter of their fuel.

Analysis of the flight plan revealed that the pilot had recorded an estimated endurance of 4 hours and 50 minutes, whereas the actual endurance with the fuel on board was only 2 hours and 46 minutes. Furthermore, the investigation determined that the pilot failed to perform a visual fuel quantity check after refueling in Tolú and did not execute the necessary procedure to switch fuel supply from the internal tanks to the external tanks in a timely manner. By the time the pilot attempted to switch, the fuel lines had already run dry.

Findings

  • Inadequate fuel management and failure to activate the external tank supply before the internal tanks were exhausted.
  • Incomplete execution of cockpit procedures regarding the fuel selector switch.
  • Deficient flight planning, as the aircraft departed with insufficient fuel to meet regulatory requirements for a domestic flight, including necessary reserves.
  • Loss of situational awareness regarding the actual fuel state and the necessity of switching tanks during the climb phase.

Probable cause

The primary cause was improper fuel management by the pilot, specifically the failure to switch the fuel supply from the internal to the external tanks, which led to the depletion of fuel to the engines. This was compounded by inadequate flight planning that resulted in insufficient fuel reserves.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2017-04-09 PA-31-STC accident near Purísima, CO?

A Piper PA-31 experienced total engine failure during climb-out near La Purísima, leading to an emergency landing in an unprepared field.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2017-04-09 involved a PA-31-STC, registration HP1928, at Purísima, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause was improper fuel management by the pilot, specifically the failure to switch the fuel supply from the internal to the external tanks, which led to the depletion of fuel to the engines. This was compounded by inadequate flight planning that resulted in insufficient fuel reserves.

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