Accident to the Cessna - 207 registered F-OSIA on 25/01/2019 at Cayenne (French Guiana)

Cat. 2 investigation report: simplified-format report, adapted to the circumstances of the occurrence and the investigation stakes.

Two minutes after the engine start-up, the pilot took off from Cayenne-Félix Éboué airport to carry out a food transport flight. The flight was operated by a catering company in the scope of an own-account flight under a dry leasing arrangement.
During the initial climb, the pilot experienced lower-than-expected performance and described a reduction in engine power. He considered that he could not continue climbing and decided to carry out a precautionary landing.
Neither the pilot nor the instructing party checked that the aeroplane was loaded in compliance with the recommendations of the aeroplane manufacturer, each considering the other to be responsible for ensuring this. The flight was undertaken with an aeroplane whose centre of gravity was outside the aft limits and whose weight exceeded the maximum take-off weight. The load was not secured. As a result, the aeroplane’s performance was degraded and piloting made more difficult.
The BEA’s investigation did not reveal any major failure that could explain the loss of power. The engine’s performance could have been below that of the manufacturer’s standards due, in particular, to a non-compliant adjustment of the mechanical fuel pump probably resulting from inappropriate maintenance. It is highly probable that this fault was already present during previous flights.
It is probable that the power required for the initial climb exceeded the power that the engine was able to deliver. This placed the aeroplane in a situation in which the speed gradually decreased. When the pilot initiated a turn, the stall warning sounded and the pilot had the feeling that the engine was losing power.