What happened
On June 8, 2016, at approximately 18:10 local time, a Cessna 182F, registration CX-BBZ, was performing a repositioning flight near Ecilda Paullier, Uruguay. The aircraft, operated by a private owner, was traveling from San Fernando toward Salto with two occupants on board.
While cruising at 350 feet, the engine began to lose power. The pilot observed that the left fuel tank indicator showed empty. Although the pilot attempted to switch the fuel selector to the right tank—which indicated it was full—the engine failed to maintain power. Following a 360-degree turn to assess the situation, the pilot executed an emergency landing on National Route 1 at kilometer 102. The aircraft landed on the paved surface without fire or damage to the airframe, and both occupants escaped the scene uninjured.
The investigation
The CIAIA investigation focused on the mechanical state of the fuel system and the pilot's pre-flight procedures. Investigators examined the fuel selector valve and found that the mechanism was misaligned; the physical position of the lever did not correspond to the actual valve setting. Specifically, the valve was stuck in a position that only allowed the engine to draw from the left tank, despite the lever being moved to the "BOTH" position.
Furthermore, the investigation reviewed the pilot's pre-flight actions. It was determined that the pilot had not performed a physical check of the fuel levels or a functional test of the selector valve during the pre-flight inspection, relying instead on the assumption that the tanks were full based on previous flight habits.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine power loss was a mechanical failure of the fuel selector valve, which was out of coordination with its physical handle.
- The pilot failed to perform a thorough pre-flight inspection, specifically neglecting to verify fuel quantities visually and failing to check the fuel selector's functionality.
- The pilot's reliance on habit rather than following the manufacturer's operating checklist contributed to the oversight.
- The aircraft showed visible signs of deferred maintenance and was nearing its airworthiness certificate renewal date.