What happened
During the final approach phase at Falköping Airport, the aircraft suffered a simultaneous failure of both engines. In an attempt to manage the emergency, the pilot performed an unplanned landing maneuver, but the plane struck an open field approximately five kilometers before reaching the runway. Following the initial impact, the aircraft slid several dozen meters across the terrain before ultimately striking a stone wall. The incident resulted in one injury to the pilot, who sustained minor wounds, while the aircraft type was destroyed beyond repair.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed that the dual engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion. Although fuel remained present in the tip tanks, the primary and wing tanks were empty. The investigation identified several critical issues regarding the fuel system's maintenance and monitoring:
- The main fuel tank contained significant levels of impurities and dirt.
- Fuel transfer line filters were installed in violation of established procedures and were obstructed by debris and water.
- High electrical resistance within the contaminated fuel caused the cockpit gauges to provide inaccurate readings, showing much higher fuel levels than were actually present.
- A recent replacement of the left auxiliary fuel pump had occurred one day prior to the event.
- During the pre-flight daily inspection, the pilot did not drain the fuel system, and it was noted that the main tank drain valve had been left in the open position.