What happened
On 19 June 2024, at approximately 07:54 UTC, a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 aircraft, registration YL-YEA, was conducting operations involving parachute jumps at the Limbazi Latvia Airport. While operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), the pilot encountered extremely adverse weather conditions. In response to the deteriorating weather, the pilot elected to divert from the original airfield to Riga International Airport.
During the approach, approximately 3 nautical miles from runway 11, the pilot notified Riga Air Traffic Control that an emergency landing was necessary because the aircraft had run out of fuel. Following the landing roll, the aircraft departed the runway and came to rest in a ditch containing water. While the aircraft sustained slight damage, the passenger, a parachutist, sustained serious injuries and required hospitalization. The pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation into the incident was initiated by the Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau of Latvia (TAIIB). The inquiry focused on the circumstances leading to the fuel exhaustion and the subsequent landing sequence near Riga International Airport.