3 fatalities

Training Flight Crash in Rusek Kills Three (AK-4)

Hradec Králové, Czech RepublicFlight

On March 18, 1954, an Aero C-3A (registration AK-4) operated by Czech Air Force - Ceské Vojenské Letectvo was involved in an aviation accident near Hradec Králové, Czech Republic in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the left engine caused by a malfunction of the spark plugs. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A training flight at Hradec Králové Airport crashed in Rusek after a left engine failure and stall during an emergency landing. Three occupants were killed and one was seriously injured.

Accident

A crew of four—two pilots, one radio operator, and one instructor—was conducting a local training sortie at Hradec Králové Airport. While cruising at an altitude of approximately 200 meters, the left engine failed. The crew decided to return for an emergency landing. During the final turn to the right, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field in Rusek, located east of the airfield. The radio operator sustained serious injuries, while the other three occupants were killed.

Cause

The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident to be failure of the left engine caused by a malfunction of the spark plugs.