Engine failure and tree collision involving Robin DR 380 near Verdun-le-Rozelier

Casualties unknown • FR

A private flight ended in an engine failure and subsequent collision with trees during the final approach at Verdun-le-Rozelier, resulting in one injury.

What happened

On the evening of December 7, 1997, a Robin DR 380, registration F-GRTH, was performing a local private flight near Verdun-le-Rozelier. During the base leg of the approach, the engine stopped while the aircraft was being powered by the right fuel tank. In an attempt to restore power, the pilot switched to the rear tank and activated the electric fuel pump, but the engine failed to restart. The aircraft subsequently struck trees near the runway threshold. The pilot sustained one injury and was unable to exit the wreckage immediately, though they were able to alert emergency services via a mobile phone. A search and rescue helicopter located the site approximately two hours later.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the circumstances leading to the engine failure and the pilot's fuel management practices. The pilot had intended to perform a major inspection on the aircraft the following day. To simplify the upcoming fuel draining process, the pilot had been intentionally flying until the low-level fuel warning lights were activated. During the flight, the pilot noted that both the main and left fuel alarms had functioned as expected. However, while operating on the right tank, the engine failed, suggesting the fuel in that tank had been depleted without triggering the appropriate warning.

Findings

  • The engine failure was caused by the depletion of fuel in the right tank.
  • A malfunction of the low-level fuel warning light prevented the pilot from realizing the right tank was empty.
  • The pilot was following an unusual fuel management procedure intended to facilitate fuel draining for maintenance, which involved flying until the low-level alarms were triggered.

Probable cause

The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion in the right tank, exacerbated by a failure of the low-level fuel warning indicator and the pilot's decision to fly until the fuel reached a critically low level to facilitate maintenance draining.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1997-12-07 BUREAU ENQUETES-ACCIDENTS ACCIDENT survenu à l'avion accident near FR?

A private flight ended in an engine failure and subsequent collision with trees during the final approach at Verdun-le-Rozelier, resulting in one injury.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1997-12-07 involved a BUREAU ENQUETES-ACCIDENTS ACCIDENT survenu à l'avion, registration F-GRTH, at FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion in the right tank, exacerbated by a failure of the low-level fuel warning indicator and the pilot's decision to fly until the fuel reached a critically low level to facilitate maintenance draining.

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