Flight History
On 18 April 2026, two pilots holding PPL(A) licenses planned a series of flights in a SOCATA TB-9, registration D-EUGA, at Zborowo airfield (EPZB) near Poznań. Pilot #1 was gaining experience in the TB-9, having flown it only once before. Pilot #2, the aircraft owner, accompanied as a safety pilot and familiarized the other pilot with the aircraft.
The owner was aware that the previous day another pilot had canceled a flight due to water contamination in the fuel. Accordingly, pre-flight preparations included draining and refilling the fuel tanks twice and cleaning the fuel filter in the electric fuel pump. After these steps, the owner determined that contamination had been removed from the left wing tank but not from the right.
During engine start, the three-way valve was set to draw fuel from the right tank. The crew realized this shortly after start, and Pilot #1 switched to the left (cleaner) tank. Because engine operation on the right tank was brief, the crew decided to proceed with an engine run-up and, if no anomalies appeared, continue with the flight. They anticipated that even if the engine ingested water-contaminated fuel, it would consume it during the run-up and pre-takeoff preparations.
The first circuit, begun at 17:30 LMT, proceeded without issues. The flight ended with a full-stop landing, after which the aircraft backtracked to the threshold for a second takeoff. The owner advised Pilot #1, who had previously flown high-wing aircraft, to hold the aircraft near the ground longer to benefit from ground effect during acceleration. In the second circuit, Pilot #1 did so, initiating climb more aggressively than in the first.
Shortly after takeoff, both pilots noted a clear loss of engine power. A ground witness heard irregular engine operation and saw dark smoke behind the aircraft as it steadily lost altitude. At the time of power loss, the aircraft was approximately over the shore of Lake Niepruszewskie, on the extended runway centerline. GPS data from the owner's tablet showed an altitude of 110 feet (35 meters).
Pilot #2 shouted "my controls!" and took over, lowering the nose to maintain speed as the aircraft was pitched up significantly. He then entered a 180° left turn intending to land in fields near the airfield, avoiding a water landing in the lake, as he later stated.
After the turn, the aircraft headed toward a field bordered by a low willow tree line. The flight path suggested possible contact with tree tops. Pilot #2 extended flaps to minimize touchdown speed. Twenty-five seconds after the engine failure, the aircraft, flying near stall speed, struck an embankment, nosed over, and hit the base of the left wing against a willow tree. Fuel tanks ruptured, but no fire occurred. Both pilots were uninjured and exited the cockpit unaided.
Injuries and Damage
Neither pilot sustained any injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. Damage included cracks in wing skin, right wing spar fracture, right wingtip separation, left wing tank rupture, broken wing-to-fuselage attachments, fuselage frame cracks behind the cockpit, windshield deformation, engine mount failure, propeller blade bending, and landing gear damage.
Weather
METAR from Poznań-Ławica airport (about 20 km east) at the accident time (17:39 LMT / 15:39 UTC) reported: variable wind at 1 knot; CAVOK (visibility >10 km, no clouds below 5000 ft, no cumulonimbus); temperature 19°C, dew point 1°C; QNH 1019 hPa.
Investigation Actions
The PKBWL investigation team collected witness and participant statements, verified pilot licenses, reconstructed the flight path, obtained weather information, and examined the wreckage and accident site. Fuel samples (from tank, carburetor chamber, and fuel filter) as well as the fuel pump and carburetor were secured for further analysis. No safety recommendations have been issued as of the report date.