What happened
On November 22, 2016, an EXTRA 330 LX, registration SP-SEB, was conducting a series of training flights at the Rudniki (EPRU) airfield. The aircraft was occupied by two licensed pilots, with the second pilot receiving informal aerobatic instruction from the first.
During the third flight of the day, the crew performed various basic and freestyle aerobatic maneuvers. At an altitude of approximately 150 meters, the aircraft transitioned into a low-level pass along the runway. While the pilot was executing a steep left-hand climbing turn, the engine ceased operation. In an attempt to recover the aircraft and align with the runway, the pilot inadvertently induced a stall, causing the aircraft to enter a spin. The aircraft struck the ground after completing approximately three-quarters of a spin rotation. Both occupants sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the fuel management and the flight maneuvers leading to the impact. Investigators analyzed flight data from a GoPro camera and interviewed witnesses who noted the engine running unevenly shortly before the failure.
Technical analysis of the fuel levels revealed that during the second refueling of the day, the pilot failed to visually verify the fuel level after the pump nozzle had automatically shut off. Calculations based on fuel consumption rates and the aircraft's known usage patterns indicated that the fuel supply was nearly exhausted at the time of the engine failure. The investigation also noted that while the first pilot had significant flight experience, he lacked the formal instructor ratings and specific aerobatic qualifications required for the training being conducted.