What happened
On May 8, 2021, a Diamond DA20-A1, registration EC-MOF, operated by Fundación Rego, was conducting a solo instructional flight from Reus Airport. While cruising at approximately 3,500 ft near Sabad andell Airport, the student pilot experienced significant engine vibrations and fluctuations in RPM. After consulting with an instructor flying nearby, the pilot identified low oil pressure and requested an emergency landing at Sabadell Airport.
The pilot was cleared to land on runway 13. However, the approach was executed at an altitude and speed significantly higher than prescribed. The aircraft crossed the runway threshold at approximately 180 ft, well above the recommended 50 ft, with an indicated airspeed of 82 KIAS, far exceeding the 57 KIAS target. After overflying the middle of the runway, the pilot realized a landing was not possible and applied full power to attempt a climb.
Unable to gain sufficient altitude, the pilot requested a 180-degree turn to land on the opposite runway (31). During this low-altitude maneuver, the aircraft entered an unrecoverable stall and struck the ground near a railway fence, approximately 200 m from the threshold of runway 31. The pilot sustained one serious injury, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the engine failure and the pilot's emergency management. Post-accident inspection of the engine revealed that the valve stem of cylinder number two had broken. This failure caused the valve head to drop into the combustion chamber, leading to severe internal damage.
Investigators also analyzed the flight parameters, noting that while the aircraft had sufficient runway length for a landing, the high approach speed and the decision to execute a turn during the maneuver contributed to the loss of control. The investigation confirmed that the engine was still capable of producing power, but the mechanical failure caused significant loss of compression and stability.