Incident Overview

Date: Friday 19 December 1980
Aircraft Type: Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina
Owner/operator: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Registration Number: C-FIGJ
Location: Sherbrooke, QC – ÿ Canada
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Component Affected: Engine(s)Engine(s)
Category: Accident
A flight experienced a significant engine failure during cruise, resulting in a forced landing. The pilot successfully re-started a dead engine for a limited period before a subsequent engine failure. The flight log revealed a fuel discrepancy of 4900 lbs compared to the planned 800 gallons, and the initial flight utilized 2750 lbs of fuel.A flight experienced a significant engine failure during cruise, resulting in a forced landing. The pilot successfully re-started a dead engine for a limited period before a subsequent engine failure. The flight log revealed a fuel discrepancy of 4900 lbs compared to the planned 800 gallons, and the initial flight utilized 2750 lbs of fuel.

Description

While in cruise, problems were experienced with the left-hand engine. Engine instruments showed a drop in fuel pressure and propeller rpm. Use of the electric booster pump and re-selection of the fuel selector valve enabled the pilot to keep the engine running for a few more minutes before it quit. The engine was shut down and the pilot diverted to a nearby airport. On the descent the pilot was able to re-start the dead engine which ran for a few minutes before quitting again. On final approach the right-hand engine also stopped. A forced landing was made 650 ft short of the runway. Prior to departure, the co-pilot and engineer reported a total of 800 gallons of fuel, sufficient for the entire flight including a stopover. The journey log, however, showed a total of 4900 lb or 680 gallons. On the first leg (4 hours and 45 minutes), 2750 lb of fuel was used (80 gals per hour). After 3 hours and 40 minutes on the second leg, both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion.

Primary Cause

Fuel exhaustion due to insufficient fuel reserves during cruise.Fuel exhaustion due to insufficient fuel reserves during cruise.

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