From Dave Unwin – Editor of Today’s Pilot
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It is true that the CAA do take a very dim view of accidents that occur due to running out of fuel. However, as with so much in aviation, it is often not quite as simple as it may appear and there can be extenuating circumstances. A good example is the recent failed prosecution of Donald Campbell, whose defence lawyer proved that errors in the tech log meant that there was considerably less fuel in the aircraft than Campbell believed. This error was compounded when Campbell miscalculated the conversion for litres to gallons, causing the aircraft to run out fuel and crash. Nevertheless, Campbell’s defence lawyer was able to prove that had the Seneca contained the amount of fuel indicated in the tech log then the aircraft would not have run out of fuel, despite the fuel miscalculation. Personally, I feel that although most cases of fuel mismanagement are probably down to some degree of negligence, clearly, and as the Campbell case proves, each case needs to be considered individually as there can be extenuating circumstances.
Regards,
Dave Unwin
Editor of Today’s Pilot
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