A light aircraft crashed into the Solent after suffering a loss of power that was “probably” caused by fuel starvation, reports Daily Echo.
Aircraft crashes after fuel starvation
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has published its report into the incident, which involved a Cirrus SR22 that came down in the sea off Calshot in May last year.
Two people aboard the aircraft deployed its parachute as the plane descended and were not injured. The crash and the subsequent rescue operation unfolded in full view of hundreds of people relaxing in the sun on Calshot Beach.
It adds: “The aircraft suffered a loss of power, probably due to fuel starvation, but the cause of the fuel starvation could not be determined.”
“It is possible that one fuel tank ran dry, and that the engine did not fully recover when the fuel tank was switched because the fuel pump had not been set to boost and the pilot had not kept this tank selected for long enough. However, the possibility of a fuel leak causing both tanks to run dry could not be ruled out.”
“The pilot, believing it would not be possible to glide to land, deployed the Ballistic Parachute Recovery System (BPRS) and the aircraft descended by parachute into the sea. Both those on board escaped uninjured.”
The investigation highlighted the importance of:
- Setting the fuel pump switch to boost when changing fuel tanks.
- Checking the fuel gauges for fuel quantity and any imbalance.
- Ensuring the serviceability of the fuel indication system.
The crash happened on the afternoon of May 31.
Families soaking up the sun on Calshot Beach watched in horror as the privately-owned plane plunged from the sky and hit the water before flipping over. The two people on board scrambled to safety and were rescued by a nearby vessel after spending only about a minute in the water.
“Potentially fatal” crash
The plane was on its way from Dunkeswell Airfield in Exeter to Solent Airport at Lee-on-Solent when it suddenly lost height.
One of the vessels which took part in the rescue operation was the Calshot RNLI lifeboat. Its helmsman, Tony Carrier, is also a commercial pilot and used his experience to make the plane safe.
Members of Hamble Lifeboat crew said the aircraft landed in the sea just off Calshot Spit, leaving only its tail visible. The crew, who were on routine patrol in the River Hamble, sped to the scene after their radio picked up “numerous” Mayday calls.
Aviation experts said the pilot was able to avoid what they described as a “potentially fatal” crash by deploying the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), which is thought to have saved more than 170 lives since it was first used in 2002.
A coastguard spokesman said: “We received numerous reports that a light aircraft had ditched into the water off Calshot Spit. It was confirmed two people were on-board the aircraft. Both were able to climb out of the aircraft after it came down and were then rescued by a nearby vessel.”
“Hamble independent lifeboat escorted both casualties to Hamble Lifeboat Station. Neither required medical assistance and both were declared well by the South Central Ambulance Service.”
The crash is not thought to have caused any pollution involving fuel or oil.
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