What happened
On July 29, 2015, a Fantasy Air Cora ultralight aircraft departed from runway 29 at the EPST (Stalowa Wola-Turbia) aerodrome. The pilot intended to perform several circuits within the airport traffic pattern. After completing the first turn, the pilot noticed highly irregular engine performance, which quickly progressed to a complete engine failure at an altitude of approximately 150 meters. Given that the aircraft's position at that altitude did not allow for a safe return to the runway, the pilot executed an emergency landing in a nearby field. The aircraft sustained no damage, and the pilot suffered no injuries.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sudden loss of engine power during the flight. Investigators examined the fuel remaining in the aircraft and identified the presence of contaminants, specifically emulsified water droplets forming a suspension and jelly-like particles. Furthermore, the investigation established that other aircraft operating at the same airfield had experienced similar engine irregularities after refueling from the same local service station.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was poor fuel quality.
- The fuel, purchased from a nearby petrol station, contained water and particulate matter.
- Evidence of similar engine malfunctions in other aircraft using fuel from the same source was identified.
Safety action
Following the incident, pilots operating at the EPST aerodrome decided to change the fuel supplier used for their aircraft to prevent similar occurrences.