Fuel exhaustion and forced landing
Eagle Air Enterprises Limited
Piper PA-31-350, C-GMOB
Winnipeg/St. Andrews Airport, Manitoba (CYAV)
The occurrence
On 2 November 2023, a Piper PA-31-350 operated by Eagle Air Enterprises Limited was conducting a flight from Sachigo Lake Airport, Ontario, to Winnipeg/James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, Manitoba, with a pilot and six passengers on board.
When the aircraft was enroute and approximately 25 minutes North of its destination, a fuel level concern was identified, and a decision was made to divert to Winnipeg/St. Andrews Airport, Manitoba. During the diversion, the left engine ran out of fuel and the right engine started to sputter.
The pilot successfully conducted an emergency landing on a gravel road nearby. There were no injuries to the passengers and no damage to the aircraft. The TSB is investigating.
Investigation information
A23C0104
Fuel exhaustion and forced landing
Eagle Air Enterprises Limited
Piper PA-31-350, C-GMOB
Winnipeg/St. Andrews Airport, Manitoba (CYAV)
Investigator-in-charge
Mr. Ray McNabb joined the TSB in 2015 and is a Senior Technical Investigator Air Central Region office located in Winnipeg. Mr. McNabb worked for Transport Canada Aircraft Services Directorate for 23 years. He joined Aircraft Services as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and held the position of Regional Team Lead before leaving to join TSB.
Prior to joining Aircraft Services Mr. McNabb held various positions maintaining numerous types of aircraft. Mr. McNabb has extensive experience in the Repair and Overhaul of Gas Turbine Engines and held the position of Field Service Representative which included Field Service work and troubleshooting throughout North America. He holds a valid class M1 and M2 Aircraft Engineers License and holds a Commercial pilot license with float, ski, and Multi-engine endorsements with 1700 hours of flying experience.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.