Cessna 172S Skyhawk, D-EFUC, 2 August 2012
Cessna 172S Skyhawk, D-EFUC
Summary:
The aircraft had departed Blackpool airport for a photography sortie. About two hours after departure, while cruising at about 1,700 ft amsl, the engine suddenly lost power. Both engine FADEC[1] warning lights illuminated and although the propeller continued to turn, only 5% power was indicated on the engine display. The pilot exercised the power lever but there was no response from the engine. He turned the electric fuel pump on but this did not have any effect either. He selected a field, prepared for a forced landing and made a MAYDAY call on the Blackpool Radar frequency. The pilot made a successful landing into a grass field, but during the ground roll the wheels dug into the soft ground and the aircraft momentarily pitched over onto its nose before settling upright. The pilot shut down the aircraft and he and his passenger vacated normally.
Following the aircraft’s recovery a maintenance organisation attempted to download the recorded FADEC data but this was unsuccessful. At the time of writing no further examination of the engine or FADEC had been carried out.
[1] Full Authority Digital Engine Control
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