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

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s 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 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. 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 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. “Since the aircraft had completely lost power and the crew could not make it back to the airport, they decided to carry out force landing in an open field near Kalaburagi Airport,” the report said.