What happened
On April 16, 2018, at 10:30 UTC, a DA 20 C1 aircraft, operated for training purposes, departed from Dęblin Airport (EPDE). The crew, consisting of an instructor and a student pilot, was performing a cross-country flight intended for an altitude of 1,500 ft. After passing point "G", the crew received clearance to climb to 3,000 ft.
Upon advancing the throttle to maximum power, the engine began to operate unevenly, and the RPM dropped significantly to approximately 1,200 RPM. In response to the power loss, the crew leveled off the climb, maintained airspeed, and activated the fuel pump. Although the engine resumed operation after the fuel pump was engaged and the throttle was set to a mid-range position, the engine RPM remained unstable. The crew maintained altitude and decided to return to the airport, managing the engine at approximately 2,000 RPM. The aircraft landed safely at the airfield, and the aircraft was handed over to technical services.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical and electrical performance of the engine during the transition to high power settings. The inquiry examined the engine's behavior following the activation of the fuel pump and the subsequent instability in engine revolutions.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine instability was a short circuit in the aircraft's ignition switch.
Safety action
Following the incident, the operator conducted a review of the event with instructors, student pilots, and technical personnel. The discussion emphasized strict adherence to pre-flight and in-flight checklists.