History of Flight
On 13 June 2022, a Diamond DA-40 aircraft registered VT-FGC, operated by M/s Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), was involved in an accident near Fursatganj Airfield, Uttar Pradesh, during a training flight. The aircraft was flown by a student pilot holding a valid student pilot license. The student pilot reported for morning briefings at 2315 UTC and received meteorological information at 2330 UTC. The aircraft was released for the first training sortie of the day at 2345 UTC, which was a cross-country flight flown by another student pilot with no reported defects.
At approximately 0300 UTC, the student pilot reported to the flight instructor assigned for the check flight. After briefing, the student pilot operated the aircraft for his third solo sortie. The aircraft took off from runway 27 at 0455 UTC. During the second circuit, the student pilot performed an intentional go-around as part of the planned exercise, followed by an uneventful full-stop landing. Subsequently, the student pilot prepared for the third circuit and landing exercise.
During the third circuit, while the aircraft was on early final approach to runway 27, local air traffic control (ATC) instructed the aircraft to go around. The student pilot executed the go-around and then turned for early crosswind and downwind legs. After crossing the runway dumbbell area and near the end of the downwind leg, the student pilot transmitted “Experiencing Engine Failure”. The engine RPM began dropping, prompting the student pilot to initiate a forced landing. The emergency checklist was followed, and a forced landing was carried out in an open agricultural field.
Injuries and Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the forced landing. The student pilot, the sole occupant, did not receive any injuries.
Aircraft Information
The accident aircraft was a Diamond DA-40, registration VT-FGC, owned and operated by IGRUA. The aircraft was engaged in a circuit and landing exercise at the time of the accident. The last point of departure and intended landing place was Fursatganj Airfield.
Meteorological Information
No specific weather conditions were reported in the investigation summary beyond the student pilot receiving METARs and satellite/radar images before the flight.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The forced landing occurred in an open agricultural field near Fursatganj Airfield. The aircraft was substantially damaged but no fire occurred.
Survival Aspects
The student pilot was uninjured and evacuated the aircraft without assistance.