What happened
On March 28, 2019, a Laviasa PA-25-260 aircraft, registration LV-ZOG, was performing aerial application work near Rayo Cortado, Córdoba. The aircraft had completed several consecutive flight segments as part of its mission. During the final stages of the operation, while flying at an altitude of approximately 20 meters, the engine suddenly stopped. Due to the low altitude and the inability to reach the intended landing site, the pilot performed an emergency landing in a cornfield. The aircraft sustained significant damage during the impact.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's fuel management and the refueling process. Prior to the accident, the aircraft had completed six flights of roughly 12 minutes each. Before starting the seventh flight, the aircraft was refueled using a mobile tanker and electric pump system. Because the refueling equipment lacked a flow meter, the amount of fuel added was estimated rather than precisely measured.
Investigators inspected the aircraft's fuel system and found no leaks or mechanical failures in the components. The aircraft utilized a float-type fuel gauge, which was found to be functioning correctly, though it does not provide highly precise readings of remaining fuel levels. Analysis of the flight sequence showed that the aircraft had flown for approximately 70 minutes following the last refueling. Based on an estimated consumption rate of 60 liters per hour, the total fuel required for that period exceeded the amount available in the tank.
Findings
- The engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion.
- The pilot and ground personnel were unable to determine the exact volume of fuel loaded during the last refueling.
- The amount of fuel loaded was insufficient to complete the planned sequence of operations.
- The cockpit fuel gauge provided an imprecise reading of the remaining fuel volume.
Safety action
- The investigation noted that the accident was not reported through official channels in a timely manner.
- The wreckage was not preserved at the scene, as it was removed prior to the investigation's arrival.
- The report emphasizes the necessity for operators to implement rigorous measures to ensure adequate fuel reserves, particularly when using imprecise refueling methods, and highlights the mandatory requirement for accident notification and wreckage preservation.