Emergency landing due to smoke in cockpit, Cessna 550 Citation II, PH-SVZ
The Cessna 550 Citation II, registered as PH-SVZ , departed from Teuge International Airport and flew to an area northeast of the province Groningen, the Netherlands, for an aerial photography survey flight at FL 058. There were two pilots on board the aircraft. The flight was formally conducted as a single pilot operation.
During the flight the crew suddenly heard a bang and felt a vibration. It immediately checked the engine instruments which reportedly showed normal indications. Within seconds smoke entered the cockpit from over the dashboard. The crew stated that because of the approach towards Runway 23 and the presence of smoke in the cockpit, it decided to continue for an immediate landing. Reportedly, the pilot flying reduced power of the left engine to flight idle at about 4 to 5 NM prior to landing and smoke started to disappear. Once landed, the crew stopped the aircraft on the runway and shut down the left engine, set the parking brake and opened the door for fresh air. After a first inspection, without any indication of fire, the crew taxied the aircraft to the parking spot whilst escorted by the fire-brigade.
Among other things the Dutch Safety Board concluded that the engine oil being expelled in the engine caused smoke in the cockpit via the air conditioning and pressurization system of the cabin. The smoke was the result of a failure in the engine, initiated by the distress of a bearing. The loss of engine oil resulted from secondary internal damage to the engine.
More information can be found in our Quarterly Aviation Report Q1 2023.
