Cessna F-172-H EC-HIC Emergency Landing in Lardero

Incident Overview and Flight Details On Sunday, April 6, 2003, at 19:45 local time, a Cessna F-172-H with registration EC-HIC departed from the Logroño-Agoncillo aerodrome for a 30-minute recreational flight. The aircraft was operated by a 24-year-old commercial pilot with 1,355:40 total flight hours and 246:10 hours on type. The flight was the fifth of the day for both the pilot and the aircraft, which had been refueled with approximately 40 liters of fuel at 18:45. ## Engine Malfunction and Emergency Landing Fifteen minutes into the flight, while at 5,000 feet over the town of Nalda, the engine experienced a momentary acceleration. The pilot attributed this to a wind gust and descended to 3,000 feet. At this altitude, the engine exhibited intermittent combustion (misfiring) three times. The pilot initially suspected carburetor icing and activated the carburetor heat, which temporarily restored engine performance. However, the misfiring recurred, leading the pilot to suspect a fuel issue. After switching the fuel selector from BOTH to LEFT, the engine recovered briefly but stopped completely two minutes later. Unable to reach the intended emergency landing site at the Prado Salobre ultralight field, the pilot selected an alternative cereal field. During the approach, the aircraft passed under electrical cables and grazed tree tops. It touched down on the main gear, and the pilot turned left to avoid a fence. This maneuver caused the nose gear and part of the right wheel to enter a ditch, while the right wing lightly struck the fence. ## Investigation and Findings All three occupants—the pilot and two passengers—exited the aircraft under their own power and sustained no injuries. The aircraft sustained minor damage. Post-incident inspections revealed normal control continuity, cylinder compression, and magnetos. The fuel filter was drained with no water or residue found, and approximately 18 liters of fuel were recovered from the tanks. A fuel flow test indicated that fuel reached the fuel strainer inlet only after a delay, though no fuel lines were found to be obstructed. The investigation noted that the fuel system includes a vent that, if obstructed, could restrict fuel flow and cause engine stoppage.