What happened
On June 7, 2006, a private MORANE SAULNIER MS893, registration D-EOBA, departed from La Axarquía aerodrome bound for Casarrubios del Monte. During the pre-flight refueling process, the crew noticed fuel spilling from the left tank's vent during the initial stages of fueling due to the aircraft's uneven positioning on the apron. The aircraft was leveled, and refueling was completed, leaving the tanks full with a total capacity of 170 liters.
Approximately 35 minutes into the flight, while overflying the vicinity of Lucena, the pilot observed that the fuel gauge indicated only 10 liters remaining. Realizing that the remaining fuel was insufficient to reach any nearby aerodromes, the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a field. After an initial aborted approach due to unforeseen obstacles, the pilot selected a plot of young olive trees. The aircraft landed successfully facing into the wind, but during the ground roll, it struck several small trees. The occupants of the two-person crew escaped without injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's fuel system both at the landing site and at La Axarquía aerodrome. Upon inspection, the remaining fuel in the tanks measured 54 liters. Based on the flight duration of 35 minutes and an estimated consumption rate of 40 liters per hour, the aircraft should have consumed approximately 23.5 liters. When adding the remaining 54 liters to the estimated consumption, the total accounted for was roughly 77.5 liters, leaving a deficit of approximately 92.5 liters from the initial 170-liter takeoff load.
Findings
- The investigation identified a deteriorated and detached rubber seal at the left tank's filler neck.
- The significant fuel deficit was attributed to a continuous leak through this faulty seal during flight.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the left wing leading edge, the horizontal stabilizer, and the elevator due to the impact with the olive trees.