Piper PA-28-151 Emergency Landing at Mutxamel Aerodrome (EC-CYE)

Incident Overview On 15 March 2006, a Piper PA-28-151 with registration EC-CYE, operated privately, departed Mutxamel Aerodrome in Alicante for a local pleasure flight. The aircraft was powered by a single Lycoming O-320-E3D engine. The pilot, a 74-year-old private pilot with 450 total flight hours and 150 hours on type, was accompanied by three passengers. ## Sequence of Events Approximately one hour and ten minutes into the flight, while returning to the aerodrome at 5 nautical miles and 1,000 feet above ground level, the engine began to lose revolutions and stopped. The pilot declared an emergency and was authorized for a direct approach to runway 30. Due to a high rate of descent and low altitude over the city of Mutxamel, the pilot decided to land in a nearby field to avoid a potential crash into the town. ## Landing and Damage The pilot selected a field and executed a short landing. The terrain was rough, with 50 to 60 cm of vegetation and debris. The right main landing gear struck a pile of bricks hidden under the grass, and the nose wheel subsequently collapsed. The aircraft came to a stop after a 150-meter run, rotated 90 degrees from the landing direction. All four occupants were uninjured, and the aircraft sustained minor damage. ## Investigation Findings Post-incident inspection revealed the right fuel tank contained 60 liters of fuel, while the left tank contained only 1 liter. The pilot had initially selected the right tank and switched to the left after 45 minutes. The engine failure occurred while the left tank was selected. The probable cause was determined to be fuel starvation due to the exhaustion of the left fuel tank and the pilot's delayed action in switching back to the right tank.