What happened
On May 7, 2026, a Cessna TU206G aircraft with registration XB-BQT, operated by an individual pilot and carrying one passenger, departed from Reina Beatrix International Airport (TNCA) in Aruba bound for Piarco International Airport (TTPP) in Trinidad and Tobago. The flight plan indicated a route duration of four hours and thirty minutes with six hours of endurance.
After takeoff, the aircraft encountered adverse weather conditions, including headwinds of 70 to 80 knots. At 9,500 feet, Air Traffic Control instructed the pilot to deviate south of Los Roques to avoid restricted airspace, which increased fuel consumption. Although the left tank emptied during the flight, the pilot continued toward the destination.
At 18:45 UTC, while approaching Margarita Island, the engine failed. The pilot observed that the right fuel gauge indicated half a tank, but both tanks were actually empty. The pilot managed to restart the engine and requested to fly along the coast rather than divert immediately. The aircraft was transferred between control centers until 19:47 UTC, when Piarco Area Control observed the aircraft descending near Guiria. At 19:49 UTC, the aircraft landed safely at General Juan Manuel Valdez Airport in Guiria, Sucre State. Both the pilot and passenger were uninjured, and the aircraft sustained no damage.
The investigation
JIAAC investigators conducted a comprehensive review of the incident. They interviewed the crew and collected flight logs, licenses, medical certificates, and maintenance records from OMAC No. 530 in Culiacán, Mexico. Post-landing inspections confirmed that both fuel tanks were empty despite the right gauge showing half capacity. A technical inspection by Mexican authorities verified the aircraft's airworthiness prior to the flight.
Findings
The investigation identified several critical factors:
- Inadequate Flight Planning: The pilot failed to account for adverse weather conditions, potential delays, and the necessary fuel reserves for the deviation. The declared endurance was insufficient for the actual route conditions.
- Instrument Failure: The right-side analog fuel gauge malfunctioned, providing a false reading of half-full tanks. This highlights the risk of relying on a single indicator.
- Poor Decision Making: The pilot continued the flight plan after the left tank emptied and failed to recognize the discrepancy between the gauge and reality until after engine failure.
- CRM Issues: Inadequate Crew Resource Management was noted in the pilot's response to the emergency.
Safety action
Corrective maintenance was performed on the fuel gauge, which was restored to operational status. Lubrication services and filter changes were also completed. The investigation highlighted the necessity of using multiple methods—visual inspection, digital indicators, and analytical calculations—to verify fuel levels in Cessna 206 aircraft.