What happened
On 16 September 2020, a Diamond DA20-A1, registration EC-IIS, was conducting a solo instructional flight at Reus Airport, Spain. The flight, operated by Fundación REGO, consisted of practicing take-offs and landings. During the fourth circuit, the student pilot noticed a burning smell and observed that the oil pressure had dropped to 20 psi, well below the normal operating range.
While on the downwind leg, the pilot requested a full-stop landing. Shortly after turning toward the base leg, the engine ceased operation and the propeller came to a complete stop. The pilot attempted to reach the runway but was unable to do so due to the aircraft's configuration and flight path. The aircraft struck the airport's perimeter fence and impacted the ground, causing the landing gear to collapse. The student pilot sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft suffered significant damage to the airframe, propeller, and landing gear.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the engine's failure and the pilot's emergency response. Investigators examined the engine wreckage and found that the crankshaft had seized. Detailed disassembly revealed a crack in the crankcase wall, with the connecting rod of cylinder number one protruding through the fracture. The inspection also showed that the engine was operating with approximately only one liter of oil, which was significantly below the minimum required level for safe operation.
Furthermore, the investigation analyzed the pilot's maneuvers. It was determined that the pilot was flying 100 feet below the standard circuit altitude due to local fog. The radar track indicated that the pilot initiated the turn to base at a distance of 1.9 NM from the runway head, turning too far from the runway centerline. Additionally, the pilot failed to adjust the airspeed and flap configuration to optimize the glide range following the engine shutdown.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by insufficient lubrication of internal components due to an inadequate oil level.
- The student pilot was operating below the standard circuit altitude.
- The pilot's emergency maneuvering—specifically the turn to base and the failure to retract flaps to achieve a better glide ratio—prevented the aircraft from reaching the runway.
- The pre-flight inspection failed to identify that the oil level was critically low, despite the pilot's report that the level appeared within limits.