What happened
On 2 October 2005, a Reims Cessna F152, registration G-WACT, was conducting a private flight from Eshott Airfield. After approximately two hours of flight, the pilot was returning to the airfield at 3,000 ft amsl when the engine lost power. Upon confirming the engine had stopped, the pilot declared a ‘MAYDAY’ to Newcastle Approach. Although offered a landing at Newcastle Airport, the pilot declined the option to avoid flying over populated areas.
While searching for a suitable landing site, the pilot identified a sports field but subsequently changed the target area to avoid flying over a group of people. During the descent, the aircraft's right wing struck a tree, causing the plane to swing to the right, while the left wingtip subsequently hit a fence. The aircraft sustained extensive damage to the wings, but the pilot escaped the incident with no injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's fuel state and the pilot's flight planning. It was discovered that the aircraft had been flying for approximately four hours since its last refueling. While the pilot had previously been advised that G-WACT had a maximum endurance of four hours, his personal experience with the type suggested a 4.5-hour endurance.
During the post-accident recovery, it was noted that very little fuel remained in the tanks. The pilot also reported that immediately prior to the engine failure, the left fuel gauge indicated zero and the right gauge showed approximately 1/8 full.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion.
- The pilot continued the flight despite fuel gauges indicating critically low levels.
- The pilot's estimation of the aircraft's endurance was inconsistent with the actual performance of the specific aircraft.