What happened
On June 23, 2003, at 14:20 local time, a Socata Rallye MS 893 A, registration EC-IGD, was conducting a promotional advertising flight along the coast between Gandía and Alboraya. The aircraft, operated by Trabajos Aéreos Publicitarios, was towing a large promotional banner.
After approximately three hours and forty minutes of flight, while climbing through 550 feet and transitioning into the VFR North route toward Valencia Airport, the engine suffered a sudden failure. The pilot immediately released the banner and executed emergency procedures. After identifying a suitable landing site—an uncultivated, flat field in the municipality of El Puig—the pilot performed an emergency landing. During the emergency, the crew attempted to notify Valencia Tower, but they were unable to establish communication, likely due to the loss of radio coverage as the aircraft descended.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the cause of the engine failure and the state of the aircraft upon landing. Post-accident inspections revealed that the fuel tanks were completely empty. Furthermore, the fuel filler cap and the external cover for the right wing tank were missing.
Investigators examined the refueling process, noting that the most recent refueling had lasted only two minutes, significantly shorter than previous sessions. They also analyzed the fuel cap mechanism, finding that if the external cover is not perfectly aligned, the top tab protrudes from the wing surface. Tests with similar aircraft suggested that airflow over the wing could potentially dislodge an improperly secured cover. Additionally, the investigation looked at fuel consumption rates, noting a discrepancy between the pilot's perceived fuel levels and the calculated consumption required for the flight duration.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion.
- It is highly probable that the aircraft departed with less fuel than the crew believed, due to inaccurate visual inspections or air bubbles during the rapid refueling process.
- The loss of the fuel filler cap and cover on the right wing likely allowed fuel to be expelled from the tank during flight due to pressure differentials and airflow.
- The aircraft sustained significant damage, including a deformed propeller, damaged nose gear, and structural deformation to the engine mount and wings.
- The two crew members sustained only minor injuries.