Accident Details
On 23 June 2005 at approximately 12:00 local time, a Cessna 150M (registration SP-KIL) was conducting a test flight following an engine replacement at Radom-Piastów airport (EPRP). The pilot, a professional airline pilot, occupied the right seat; the passenger, also a pilot and the aircraft owner, sat in the left seat. During takeoff on runway heading 270°, after becoming airborne and reaching an altitude of about 15-20 meters, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing straight ahead, extending the flaps to the landing position. The aircraft touched down approximately 115 meters from a road bordering the western side of the airport. The landing was hard, causing the nose gear to collapse and the aircraft to nose over onto its back. The pilot was uninjured. The passenger sustained a contused wound with a laceration on the left temple and a cervical spine injury. Both occupants exited the aircraft unaided. The aircraft was seriously damaged.
Investigation Findings
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) determined that the accident was caused by improper maintenance and assembly of the engine. Specifically, a non-standard air filter element made from a piece of ordinary kitchen sponge had been installed in the carburetor intake. During the flight, fragments of the sponge broke off and entered the carburetor, choking the airflow and causing the engine to lose power. A contributing factor was a slight exceedance of the maximum takeoff weight.
Recommendations
The investigation report did not issue any safety recommendations.