What happened
On December 6, 2019, at approximately 01:50 UTC, a Cessna C-177RG, registration PT-KIZ, crashed near San Fernando International Airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The aircraft was performing an international general aviation flight originating from Campo de Marte, Brazil.
During the final approach to runway 23, the engine lost power, causing the aircraft to strike overhead electrical cables before impacting a residential building approximately 500 meters from the runway threshold. The impact caused significant damage to the aircraft's airframe and damage to the roof and masonry of the house. There were no fatalities among the four occupants, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the cause of the engine failure and the management of fuel reserves. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, fuel system, and engine performance. The investigation also reviewed meteorological conditions, including significant headwinds encountered during the flight, and analyzed communications between the pilot and air traffic controllers (ATC).
Investigators looked into the pilot's flight planning, specifically the lack of a precomputed fuel consumption sheet, which could have helped identify the discrepancy between predicted and actual fuel usage. Furthermore, the investigation scrutinized the effectiveness of the communication between the crew and ATC regarding the low fuel state.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion in both tanks.
- The aircraft encountered headwinds of approximately 25 to 30 knots, which required increased engine power to maintain navigation speed, leading to higher-than-planned fuel consumption.
- The pilot was aware of the low fuel levels upon entering Argentine airspace and communicated this to various ATC units, but failed to use the standard "pan-pan" urgency phraseology.
- Air traffic controllers failed to recognize the urgency of the situation or confirm the pilot's status, and did not prioritize the aircraft's arrival or pass the information to subsequent control sectors.
- The aircraft's fuel gauges, which use a float system, provided imprecise readings that could be affected by the aircraft's attitude, complicating the pilot's ability to assess remaining fuel during a night flight.
Safety action
Following the investigation, a safety recommendation was issued to the Empresa Argentina de Navegación Aérea (EANA) to review and train air traffic controllers on procedures for identifying, confirming, and acting upon pilot-declared urgency situations.