Sun Mar 16 15:16:14 UTC 2025: ## Blocked Fuel Valve Caused Cessna’s Emergency Landing in Kalaburagi: DGCA
**Bengaluru, March 16, 2025** – A final investigation report by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has attributed the emergency landing of a Cessna 1725 aircraft in Kalaburagi last June to a blocked fuel system valve. The incident, involving a Redbird Flight Training Academy aircraft with an instructor and student pilot onboard, saw the aircraft lose all engine power approximately 30 minutes into a training flight.
The report concludes that metal debris blocked the inlet valve of the High-Pressure Pump (HPP), causing complete engine failure. While the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) found the debris, it did not originate from the HPP itself. A subsequent fuel system inspection revealed no other abnormalities.
Despite the instructor’s attempts to restart the engine and regain power, the aircraft lost all power. The skilled handling of the emergency by the instructor and student pilot allowed for a safe, albeit forced, landing in an open field, resulting in no injuries. The DGCA report specifically praised the pilot’s adherence to emergency procedures, stating their actions were not a contributing factor to the incident. The OEM recommended a thorough fuel system inspection for contamination as a preventative measure following the incident.
First Piper 