What happened
On July 17, 2014, a Quest Kodiak 100, registration N669LG, was conducting a flight from Prati Vecchi di Aguscello, Italy, to Pula, Croatia. The flight included the pilot and two passengers. The aircraft had previously stopped at Ferrara to pick up passengers before proceeding across the Adriatic Sea.
As the aircraft began its descent toward Pula Airport, a low fuel warning was triggered. Shortly thereafter, the engine ceased operation due to fuel exhaustion. Realizing that the aircraft could not reach the destination airport or the mainland, the pilot diverted the aircraft toward the Brijuni Islands. At approximately 16:57 LT, the aircraft performed an emergency landing in a meadow within a fenced military area on the island of Veli B． During the landing, the aircraft struck a fence, resulting in significant damage to the airframe. The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries, while the second passenger was uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the Croatian Aviation Safety Agency (AIN) examined the flight planning, fuel consumption, and the aircraft's technical state. Investigators analyzed the pilot's fuel calculations and the reliability of the aircraft's fuel quantity indicators. The investigation also reviewed meteorological conditions and air traffic control communications during the emergency.
Findings
- The engine stopped running because the fuel tanks were empty.
- The fuel quantity indicators were providing inaccurate readings, failing to reflect the actual amount of fuel remaining in the tanks.
- While a mandatory service bulletin (SB12-04) regarding fuel quantity calibration had been performed on the aircraft in 2012, the manufacturer had not received the updated calibration table.
- The pilot was unaware of the true fuel state, likely relying on the faulty indicators.
- The pilot's flight was conducted using maximum cruise power, which resulted in a higher fuel burn than the maximum range power setting.
- The pilot may have omitted a manual fuel check or a precise fuel consumption calculation for the planned route.
- The emergency landing on the islands, rather than over the open sea, was a significant factor in the survival of all occupants.