Accident Details
On 23 June 2012, at approximately 08:10 UTC (11:10 local time), a Cessna 207 aircraft, registration D-EBBG, departed from Clinceni Aerodrome for a parachute jump flight. During the initial climb, at about 200 feet altitude, the engine stopped. The pilot performed an emergency landing on a field in Cornetu commune, Ilfov County, near the departure runway. The aircraft was substantially damaged. According to the victim table, one passenger sustained minor injuries; no other injuries were reported.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft, a Cessna 207 (serial number 207-00108, built in 1969), was registered in Germany and owned by S.C. Frederici S.R.L. Suceava. It was powered by a Teledyne Continental Motors IO-520-F3B engine (serial 826729-R). Total airframe hours were 9019 hours 36 minutes at the last inspection (22 April 2012); engine total time was 9021 hours as of May 2012. The 49-year-old male pilot held a Commercial Pilot License issued by the Romanian Civil Aeronautical Authority, valid until 25 April 2013, with special ratings for parachute dropping and agricultural work. He had 3656 total flight hours, including 515 hours on single-engine aircraft and 182 hours on the Cessna 207.
Damage and Investigation
Visual examination revealed extensive damage: the rear fuselage was broken forward of the horizontal stabilizer; the landing gear was damaged with the nose gear strut broken; wings were damaged; engine cowling was affected; propeller blades were deformed; and the engine crankcase was fractured. Internal engine inspection showed the oil pan deformed and cracked at the lower left side due to ground impact. The left and right crankcase halves were broken from inside outward near cylinders 1 and 2, caused by the action of the broken connecting rod of piston number 2. The magneto mounting flanges were broken with impact marks from the same broken rod. The investigation determined that the accident occurred due to an engine stop during the climb.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the accident, visibility was more than 10 km, wind was light from the east, and temperature was 28°C.
Operational Context
The aircraft was loaned by the owner to a parachute club operating at Clinceni Aerodrome. The flight took place outside the scheduled activity of the "Aurel Vlaicu" Territorial Aeroclub, which had no flight planned that day. The parachute club was responsible for providing its own flight support; the investigation noted that no designated flight coordinator was identified, and firefighting and medical assistance were not provided, with only the emergency phone service (112) available.
Probable Cause
The accident was caused by the engine stopping during the climb.