An ATSB investigation has found that a Cessna 210 was forced to conduct an emergency landing at Bankstown because the fuel level was low and the aircraft was flown out of balance.
VH-MYW was on a ferry flight under permit from Cessnock to Bankstown in May this year when the pilot was forced to land wheels-up on a taxiway after the engine stopped in flight. Two occupants walked away from the incident unhurt and the aircraft suffered minor damage.
According to the final ATSB report released last Friday, MYW left Cessnock with enough fuel for the flight, but approaching Bankstown, a combination of low fuel and unbalanced flight starved the engine. The pilot elected to land on the taxiway, but after ensuring the Cessna would make the field, could not leave enough time for the landing gear to completely extend.
Investigators also found that the right tank contained 40-50 l of fuel, but only 0-5 l in the left tank, and that the rudder trim on the aircraft was set nose left, resulting in an unbalanced turn and the fuel shifting away from the tank outlet.
This led the ATSB to conclude that the 90 l thought to be in the left tank leaving Cessnock was not accurate as the flight time was only 35 minutes.
"Fuel starvation occurrences can often be prevented by conducting thorough pre-flight fuel quantity checks combined with in-flight fuel management,” ATSB Director Transport Safety Stuart Macleod said.
“Pilots are reminded to check fuel quantities prior to departure using a known calibrated instrument such as a dipstick.
“In addition, comparing the expected fuel burn with actual fuel remaining after a flight, will give a validated fuel burn for the aircraft and ensure the measuring equipment is accurate.”
During the investigation, the ATSB also found the pilot did not complete the emergency checklist for the Cessna 210, which may have identified the fuel starvation issue and allowed the pilot to re-start the engine in flight.
“Practising forced landings from different altitudes under safe conditions can help pilots prepare for an emergency situation,” Macleod explained.
“Being familiar with emergency checklists and your aircraft’s systems will assist in an emergency when identifying and managing an engine failure.”
The full report is on the ATSB website.