What happened
On June 17, 2013, at 17:04, a Cessna P206D, registration TF-TAL, was performing a private flight from Sauðárflugvöllur toward Hvolsvöllur. While flying at approximately 2,500 feet over a ridge west of Sultartangalón, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot, aware of the limited landing options in the area, identified a suitable flat area near the edge of the reservoir and initiated a descent.
During the emergency, the pilot attempted to troubleshoot the engine by switching to the right fuel tank and activating the auxiliary fuel pump, but the engine failed to restart. The pilot performed several checks, including inspecting the magnetos and adjusting the fuel mixture, but was unable to restore power. To maintain airspeed during the descent, the pilot deployed full flaps and executed tight turns to lose altitude. The aircraft touched down approximately 2,300 meters short of the intended landing spot. Upon impact, the nose wheel collapsed, causing the aircraft to skid and eventually flip onto its back.
The investigation
The RNSA investigation focused on the cause of the engine power loss and the circumstances of the landing. Investigators examined the aircraft's fuel levels and the mechanical state of the fuel system. At the crash site, the aircraft was found inverted. Later, the aircraft was moved to a storage area at the Búðarhálsvirkjun power station, where investigators found a broken fuel tank cap on the right wing.
Analysis of the fuel consumption indicated that the left fuel tank had been depleted during the flight. While the pilot had leaned the mixture to conserve fuel, calculations suggested the left tank should have lasted longer under normal settings; however, the specific fuel management during the flight led to exhaustion. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the pilot's attempt to restart the engine was unsuccessful because the auxiliary fuel pump was set to the "LO" position and the key was not turned to the "start" position, which is required for the pump to function according to the aircraft manual.
Findings
- The engine power loss was caused by fuel exhaustion in the left fuel tank.
- The pilot's troubleshooting efforts were hindered by an incorrect setting of the auxiliary fuel pump (set to "LO" instead of "HI" without turning the key to "start").
- The aircraft landed in a crosswind/tailwind component, which contributed to the difficulty of the forced landing.
- The aircraft sustained significant damage, including a broken nose wheel and an overturned fuselage, but the pilot escaped without injury.