What happened
On 12 May 2022, a Tecnam P20_6T aircraft, registration VT-VDB, was conducting a routine flight training exercise at Bhiwani Airfield. The flight, operated by FSTC Flying School Pvt. Ltd., was part of a series of circuit and landing maneuvers. After a successful touchdown and subsequent touch-and-go attempt, the aircraft entered its climb phase.
During the climb, the crew experienced significant roughness and a subsequent loss of power in the left engine. The instructor took control to manage the asymmetric handling. Shortly after, while the aircraft was approximately 100 feet above the ground, the second engine also exhibited roughness and lost power. As the aircraft's airspeed dropped to approximately 55 knots, the crew was forced to execute an emergency landing. The aircraft struck the ground 440 meters from the runway end, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. Both the instructor and the student pilot evacuated the aircraft safely after encountering a fuel smell and a stuck main door.
The investigation
AAIB India investigators examined the wreckage and conducted technical inspections of the powerplants. The investigation included a detailed examination of the Rotax 912S engines, focusing on the fuel and ignition systems. Engineers performed operational checks on the electrical fuel pumps, the ignition leads, and the spark plugs.
Testing established that both engines were mechanically serviceable and capable of starting. The investigation team even successfully started both engines using an external power source during the field examination. No external damage to the fuel lines, carburetors, or electrical components was identified, and maintenance records indicated that all required service schedules had been followed according to the manufacturer's guidelines.