Trainer aircraft emergency landing: DGCA probe reveals blockage in fuel system valve led to engine power loss

DGCA report: Emergency landing due to engine power loss caused by blockage in fuel system inlet valve.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) final investigation report on a trainer aircraft making an emergency landing in an open field in Kalaburagi in June 2023 has concluded that blockage of inlet valve of High-Pressure Pump (HPP) of the fuel system in closed position resulted in engine power loss and subsequently led to forced landing of the aircraft.

On June 25, 2023, a two-seater Cessna 1725 aircraft belonging to Redbird Flight Training Academy with a flying instructor and student pilot made an emergency landing in an open field after the aircraft had completely lost power. After carrying out a force landing, the instructor and student pilot came out of the aircraft unhurt.

Following this the DGCA had instituted an inquiry into the incident and the probe final report has concluded that “the probable cause of the incident was blockage in inlet valve of HPP of the fuel system in closed position resulting in engine power loss and subsequently led to forced landing of the aircraft in an open field.”

The findings in the report further state that during the investigation, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) observed that the inlet valve of the HPP pump was in a closed position due to metal debris found inside the pump and that the debris did not originate from the HPP.

“The OEM recommended inspecting the fuel system for contamination. However, the inspection did not reveal any abnormality,” the report stated.

On the day of the incident, the instructor and the student pilot took off from the Kalaburgi airport and after completion of sector flying for about 30 minutes and during the rate 1 turn practice the instructor advised the student pilot to reduce the power by 2-3%.

“As soon as the student pilot reduced the power, in response, engine power was reduced to 1%. Immediately, the instructor realized the situation and took control, and tried to maximize the power. During this time, the aircraft responded for 1 - 2 seconds and increment of power up to 40% and dropped back to 1% again,” the report said.