Accident to the Best Off Skyranger identified 988FC on 18/02/2023 at Païta (New Caledonia)

During a cross-country flight accompanied by a second microlight, the pilot encountered engine problems. He decided to make a U-turn and return to Nakutakoin microlight strip. Shortly afterwards, the engine shut down requiring the pilot to carry out a forced landing. The pilot identified a flat area and tried to land there while avoiding a pile of stones situated just before it. He probably did not identify the downward slope or the tailwind component. The microlight wheels only touched down at the end of the flat area and the pilot was not able to avoid the bank situated at its extremity.

The reasons for the total reduction in power were not determined. However, it is not possible to exclude a malfunction of the mechanical fuel pump or the pilot’s work on the fuel system having caused a fuel supply fault during the flight.