What happened
The aircraft was en route when the engine unexpectedly lost power. The pilot managed to restart the engine and continued flying for approximately four miles. Shortly thereafter, the engine failed again, prompting another successful restart by the pilot. A third loss of power occurred, forcing the pilot to initiate a forced landing procedure. During this descent, the aircraft collided with an electrical wire and crashed approximately one mile from the airport.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical integrity of the engine and the circumstances surrounding the multiple power failures. Examination revealed that the engine experienced repeated loss of power events. Despite the pilot's efforts to restart the engine twice, the underlying mechanical issue persisted, leading to the final failure during the approach for a forced landing.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the repeated failure of the engine to maintain power. The pilot demonstrated skill by successfully restarting the engine on two occasions, extending the flight time and allowing for some distance to be covered before the final failure. However, the inability to resolve the mechanical issue led to the forced landing attempt. The collision with the electrical wire during this maneuver was a critical element of the crash sequence.
Safety message
This incident highlights the challenges of managing multiple engine failures in flight. While pilot intervention can extend survivability, the root cause of such failures requires thorough mechanical inspection and maintenance to prevent recurrence.