What happened
On November 6, 2018, a STRATON MOBY DICK motor glider departed from Jasionka airport (EPRZ) for a recreational flight. The flight crew, consisting of the pilot and one passenger, was navigating toward point MIKE within the controlled airspace of the aerodrome at an altitude of 500 m AGL.
Upon completing the mission, the pilot received clearance to enter the left-hand traffic pattern for runway 08 L. While executing the third turn at an altitude of approximately 300 m AGL, the engine suddenly ceased operation. Following two unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine, the pilot notified the tower and decided to perform an emergency landing. The aircraft successfully landed in an open area located outside the airport perimeter, parallel to runway 09.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the Aeroklub Rzeszowski, examined the aircraft's condition and the prevailing meteorological conditions. An inspection of the STRATON MOBY DICK at the landing site revealed no structural damage to the aircraft.
Meteorological data analyzed during the investigation showed an air temperature of 11°C and a dew point of 9°C. Based on carburetor icing risk charts, the investigators determined that the atmospheric conditions were conducive to ice formation. It was noted that the risk of icing increases when the engine is operated at low power, such as during the descent from 500 m to 300 m AGL.
Findings
- The most probable cause of the engine failure was carburetor icing.
- The aircraft was not equipped with a carburetor heat system.
- The descent during the traffic pattern maneuver contributed to the accumulation of ice due to reduced engine power.