AAIB investigation to Tekever AR3 (UAS registration n/a)

Engine stopped due to fuel starvation after fuel pump failure, followed by ditching, English Channel, 2 July 2022.

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 13 April 2023

• Category: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 2 July 2022
• Aircraft type: Tekever AR3
• Location: English Channel
• Registration: n/a

Summary:

During a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLoS) flight over the English Channel, the engine stopped. The aircraft descended on a parachute into the sea and was subsequently recovered. Investigation revealed an issue with the Low Pressure fuel pump which caused it to fail and trip its associated electrical fuse. This fuse also provided electrical power to the High Pressure fuel pump and, with both pumps stopped, the engine was starved of fuel.

The operator ceased operating the aircraft type until a number of improvements had been implemented.

Download report:

Tekever AR3 (UAS registration n/a) 04-23

Download glossary of abbreviations:

Glossary of abbreviations

Published 13 April 2023