What happened
A private Cessna T210F departed from Oscar Machado Zuloaga Airport in Charallave, Miranda, on a local visual flight plan. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger with approximately four hours of fuel endurance. During the final approach to Metropolitano Airport in Ocumare del Tuy, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power.
As the aircraft descended, it struck a tree outside the airport perimeter before hitting an embankment, which caused the left wingtip tank to separate. The propeller assembly subsequently struck the edge of the taxiway and became entangled with the fencing of the runway 08 safety area. The aircraft came to its final rest within the runway 08 threshold safety zone. There were no fatalities reported in the accident.
The investigation
The JIAAC investigation involved a site inspection of the impact trajectory and a technical examination of the engine and fuel systems. Investigators reviewed maintenance records from WING AIR COMPANY 2000, C.A., as well as the pilot's licenses and medical certifications, all of which were found to be valid.
Technical inspections of the Continental TSIO-520-C engine confirmed that spark plugs were producing sparks and cylinders maintained compression; however, a bench test was required for further evaluation. The investigation specifically focused on the fuel system, examining the tanks and the auxiliary fuel pump.
Findings
The investigation established that the electrical fuel pump (P/N: 18000B) was operating erratically and intermittently, failing to meet established safety parameters. While the component was within its legal service life of 1,500 hours, having recorded 1,319.3 hours of use, its functional degradation prevented a consistent fuel supply to the mechanical pump. This failure led to the sustained loss of engine power during the approach.