What happened
On 16 April 2025, a Cessna F150M, registration SP-PIA, was conducting training flights for a PPL(A) student at Gliwice Airport (EPGL). During the fourth traffic pattern, after a touch-and-go landing, the aircraft took off from runway 508R. Shortly after liftoff, at an altitude of only a few meters, the engine lost power.
The instructor took control and attempted an emergency landing on the remaining runway. To avoid hitting the airport perimeter fence, the instructor applied full power, which briefly restored engine operation and allowed the aircraft to clear the fence. However, the engine lost power a second time. To avoid trees, the instructor maneuvered the aircraft toward a nearby field. The aircraft entered a stall at an altitude of approximately two meters, resulting in a hard three-point landing. The aircraft bounced and subsequently became stuck in soft ground, causing the nose landing gear to break and the aircraft to nose over.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, fuel logs, and the crew's pre-flight procedures. Investigators analyzed the Engine Digital Monitor (EDM) data, fuel gauges, and physical wreckage. The investigation also reviewed the refueling process that occurred two days prior to the accident. Technical inspections of the engine, propeller, and fuel system were conducted to rule out mechanical failure or fuel leaks.
Findings
- The engine lost power because there was insufficient fuel in the tanks to sustain operation; only approximately 6 liters of fuel remained in total.
- The pre-flight inspection performed by the crew failed to include a proper visual verification of the actual fuel levels in the wing tanks using a dipstick.
- The instructor relied on the EDM digital readings and fuel gauges rather than a physical measurement, despite existing warning placards advising against relying solely on the fuel flow instrument.
- The instructor had updated the EDM with a calculated fuel quantity after a previous refueling but did not verify the actual volume physically.
- The crew members sustained only minor superficial abrasions, and no alcohol was detected in their systems.