Executive summary
On Wednesday 15 May 2002, at about 0918, ZK-ZSP, a Partenavia P68B, was on a scheduled flight from Gisborne to Napier, when its right engine lost power because of fuel starvation. The aeroplane was 5 km from Wairoa, at 5000 feet and in cloud, at the time. On board were 4 passengers and the pilot.
Although sufficient fuel was on board the aeroplane, the fuel was not made available to the engine. The propeller was not feathered and the aeroplane, unable to maintain its height, descended until it broke clear of the cloud, near the coastline. The pilot landed the aeroplane safely on a metalled road. There were no injuries, and the aeroplane was undamaged.
Safety issues identified were:
• inadvertent tank-to-tank fuel transfer
• stiff fuel selector knobs
• the adequacy of the aircrew licensing written examination system.
Safety recommendations addressing these issues were made to the Director of Civil Aviation.
Related Recommendations
Immediately advise all New Zealand Partenavia P68 operators about the potential for inadvertent tank-to-tank fuel transfer; and to ensure ease of movement of the cockpit fuel selector knobs. On receipt of the pending Vulcanair P68 service bulletin require operators to implement the actions recommended, to obtain the necessary synchronisation between the cockpit fuel selector knobs and wing fuel selector valves.
Enhance the policy and procedures for aircrew licensing written examinations, their purpose and construction, and the criteria that is applied to examination re-sits, so the "practice effect" does not undermine the examination process.