What happened
On the evening of June 15, 2007, an amateur-built Brochet MB 72 aircraft, registration F-PYQV, was conducting a cross-country flight from Bernay to Montluçon Guéret. As the aircraft approached the destination, approximately five minutes from the airfield, the pilot contacted the AFIS agent. Shortly thereafter, the engine power began to decrease. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the issue by checking the magneto selector and activating the carburetor heat, but these actions yielded no results. The engine RPM fluctuated briefly before power was lost entirely.
The pilot attempted a forced landing in a field near Verneiges. During the impact, the aircraft struck the ground heavily, entered a ground loop, and slid approximately 15 meters before coming to a halt. The pilot and one passenger evacuated the aircraft after securing the fuel selector and electrical systems. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the aircraft was heverely damaged.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the fuel consumption and flight planning of the crew. The pilot had departed Bernay with a full fuel load of 70 liters. Based on an estimated flight duration of three hours and 15 minutes and an average consumption rate of 18 liters per hour, the pilot estimated a total consumption of approximately 59 liters. Post-accident inspection of the wreckage revealed approximately 5 liters of fuel remaining in each tank.
During the flight, the crew encountered a headwind component of roughly 20 km/h. Upon realizing the impact of this wind, the crew recalculated their fuel reserves and considered diverting to Romorantin or Issoudun for refueling. However, upon passing over those airfields, they observed that the hangar doors were closed. Assuming they would be unable to refuel at those locations, the crew elected to continue to their original destination, believing they had sufficient reserves to reach Guéret.
Findings
- Inadequate flight preparation regarding fuel reserves.
- Improper fuel management following the decision to bypass potential refueling stops.
- A decision to continue the flight despite the lack of certainty regarding available fuel.
- The presence of turbulence at the destination likely contributed to the disruption of the fuel flow, leading to the engine failure.