What happened
On September 2, 2024, at approximately 18:00 LMT, a pilot and a passenger prepared for flight at an airfield in Nowa Różanka, near Kętrzyn. After retrieving the TL 232 Condor, registration SP-SOBH, from its hangar and completing a pre-flight inspection, the crew commenced taxiing and engine testing. The initial climb phase proceeded normally until the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 100 m AGL, at which point the engine ceased operation.
Following the engine failure, the pilot executed an emergency landing in an unpaved, uneven field. The impact with the rough terrain caused significant damage to the aircraft. Both the pilot and the passenger exited the aircraft uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the cause of the engine failure and the condition of the fuel system. During the post-accident inspection, investigators discovered the presence of water within the fuel filter. Further disassembly of the carburetors revealed that water had also accumulated in the float chambers. The aircraft was operated using MOGAS fuel. The investigation could not determine the specific mechanism by which the fuel became contaminated with water.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure in flight was the presence of water in the fuel.
- A contributing factor was that the engine failure occurred at an altitude that did not allow for a safe return to the airfield.