Accident Summary
On 3 May 2020, at approximately 17:00 LMT, a student pilot (female) departed from runway 21 at Piotrków Trybunalski Airport (EPPT) in a CH601 ZODIAK aircraft (registration OK-JUA 80) for multiple traffic patterns. The first two circuits proceeded without issue.
Sequence of Events
Shortly after takeoff for the third circuit, at an altitude of 30–50 meters, the engine abruptly stopped. The pilot attempted to restart the engine and switched to the backup engine control system, but the engine did not restart. Facing low altitude and obstacles ahead, the pilot decided to execute a forced landing in a field to the right. The landing required a 90-degree turn, which was performed with excessive pitch and insufficient bank, resulting in a touchdown with sideways drift. The landing gear and engine cowling were damaged, and the aircraft struck a small embankment, causing the aircraft to pitch up, yaw, and eventually come to rest after a 180-degree rotation. No fuel leak or fire occurred. The aircraft sustained serious damage to the landing gear, propeller, engine mount, cowling, main frame, cabin structure, wingtip, and rear fuselage. The pilot was not injured. A police alcohol test was negative.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the engine revealed that a connector in the switch plug for selecting the primary and backup injection and ignition control systems had retracted from its proper position. The retracted connector interrupted power supply to both systems, causing the engine stoppage. The plug used standard 6.3 mm automotive connectors, which are secured by a bent tab; the tab may have deformed under the insertion force, allowing the connector to slip back.
Cause
The accident was caused by the interruption of power to the primary and backup engine injection and ignition control systems due to the retraction of a connector in the system selection switch plug, leading to engine stoppage.