What happened
On June 18, 2022, at approximately 11:00 local time, a German pilot holding a PPL(A) license arrived at the Brzeska Wola aerodrome (EPBI) to perform a solo navigational flight for flight hour building. Prior to departure, the pilot performed a pre-flight inspection and noted trace amounts of water in one of the fuel sumps drained from the tank. After performing additional drainage, no further water was detected.
During taxiing, the pilot noticed the engine was running unevenly. The pilot conducted two engine tests, which were deemed successful. The takeoff was performed using the full length of runway 28. However, upon reaching an altitude of approximately 800 to 1,000 feet, the engine began losing power, making level flight impossible.
Determining that a return to the aerodrome was not feasible and noting a forested area directly in the takeoff path, the pilot opted for an emergency landing in a forest clearing. After a ground roll of approximately 120 meters, the Cessna 150M, registration SP-CBE, struck a tree with its left wing, causing the aircraft to undergo an uncontrolled 90-degree turn. The aircraft sustained serious damage, but the pilot sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the engine's performance degradation and the presence of water in the fuel system. The investigators reviewed the pilot's pre-flight actions, including the initial detection of water in the fuel sumps and the subsequent engine tests conducted during taxiing. The investigation also examined the sequence of events from the moment the power loss occurred to the impact with the tree.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of engine power and uneven engine operation following takeoff, which prevented continued flight.
- The investigation identified probable fuel contamination with water as a contributing factor, despite the pilot's successful engine tests and the absence of water in subsequent drainage attempts.
Safety action
To mitigate the risk of water condensation in fuel tanks, the following preventive measures were implemented:
- Pilots performing self-refueling must notify the operator before flight.
- The operator has introduced a requirement to refuel aircraft to capacity after every flight to reduce the potential for water accumulation in the tanks.