What happened
The incident occurred during a routine glider towing operation. Shortly after the aircraft departed the runway, the pilot reported experiencing an unexpected loss of engine power. In response to the emergency, the pilot immediately released the glider from the tow line to ensure its safety. Following the release, the engine completely quit, leaving the aircraft without propulsion.
With no option for a continued climb or return to the airport, the pilot executed an emergency landing in a nearby rock quarry. The impact with the uneven terrain resulted in substantial damage to the airframe and components of the aircraft.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the wreckage was conducted to determine the root cause of the power loss. Investigators inspected both the airframe and the engine for any mechanical failures or discrepancies that could explain the sudden stoppage.
The inspection revealed no physical anomalies, defects, or discrepancies with the aircraft systems or the engine itself. The lack of mechanical evidence suggests the failure may have been due to factors not immediately apparent in the wreckage analysis, though no specific cause was identified during this phase.
Findings
The primary finding from the investigation is that no mechanical discrepancies were found with the aircraft or its engine. This indicates that the power loss was likely caused by an external factor or a transient issue that did not leave physical evidence on the wreckage.