Investigation number
199603299
Occurrence date
Location
15 km south of Cummins
State
South Australia
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Forced/precautionary landing
Occurrence class
Incident

Prior to departure from Ceduna, the pilot refuelled both fuel tanks. This should equate to about two hours endurance per tank. Approximately 55 minutes after departure, while cruising at 7,000 ft, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot established the best glide speed and performed trouble checks. Engine instruments were all in the green range. The fuller fuel tank was selected and the electric fuel pump switched on but except for an occasional surge, the engine would still not produce power.

The pilot informed Adelaide Flight Service of his situation and then concentrated on a forced landing approach to a wheat paddock, where the aircraft was landed without damage. After landing, the pilot ran the engine, but it would still not produce significant power. Initial engineering investigation indicated a faulty fuel injection system.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Mooney Aircraft Corp
Model
M20J
Registration
VH-ASO
Operation type
Private
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Ceduna SA
Destination
Parafield SA
Damage
Nil