Event Overview
On March 1, 2022, a 20-year-old pilot was conducting a flight to build flight time in a Tecnam P2008 JC (registration SP-LFD). The pre-flight inspection with an instructor was normal, and the takeoff was uneventful. Approximately 15 minutes after departure, the pilot felt a tingling sensation in his left hand. The sensation intensified and spread to his right hand, then to his legs. Over the following minutes, he began to lose control of his limb movements.
Emergency Landing
Sensing impaired perception, the pilot decided to land as soon as possible and chose an unprepared field. He informed Warsaw FIS of his intention. After selecting a landing site, he touched down on a cultivated field and stopped several meters before a tree line, at which point he lost consciousness. Shortly thereafter, he regained consciousness, exited the aircraft unaided, called for help by phone, and lay down on the ground. While lying down, his symptoms subsided.
Assistance and Aftermath
Another aircraft from the same operator, which was airborne at the time, helped locate the emergency landing site and guided emergency services to the spot. The pilot sustained minor injuries; rescue services provided first aid and transported him to a hospital, where he was kept under observation for two days. The aircraft was substantially damaged.
Investigation Findings
The pilot held a valid aviation medical certificate, and his health prior to the flight raised no concerns. The investigation determined the cause of the accident to be a sudden deterioration of the pilot's health for an undetermined reason. No contributing factors were identified. No safety recommendations were issued. The operator conducted preventive actions including registering the event in the SMS database, temporarily suspending flight training for 48 hours while reviewing the pilot's training and aircraft technical condition (no organizational issues found), and holding a safety meeting involving a psychologist and management staff.