History of the Flight
The flight originated from EBCI, where the aircraft was based. The pilot planned a series of touch-and-go landings at EBTN airfield. After pushing the aircraft out of the hangar, the pilot conducted a pre-flight inspection on the parking area, which had an uneven surface due to construction work. During the inspection, both fuel tank sumps were drained. The pilot noted both tanks were approximately three-quarters full, consistent with the fuel gauges.
Takeoff and transit to EBTN were uneventful. The pilot performed a first touch-and-go on runway 24. On the subsequent downwind leg, abeam midfield, the aircraft was configured for landing (gear down, fuel selector on the fullest tank, booster pump on, mixture full rich, pitch fully fine, landing light on) but flaps were not extended. Moments later, the engine began sputtering and then stopped. The pilot immediately switched the fuel tank selector to the other tank, checked the booster pump, and manipulated the throttle. The engine windmilled but did not restart. The pilot declared a mayday and turned toward runway 24, attempting to regain power without success. Realizing insufficient altitude to clear an electrical power line, the pilot executed an emergency belly landing in a cultivated field. Full flaps were extended and the gear retracted just before touchdown. The aircraft skidded approximately 40 meters through a beetroot field before stopping. The pilot shut down all systems and exited uninjured.
Aircraft Information
The Rockwell Commander 112 is a four-seat, single-engine, low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear, powered by a Lycoming IO-360-C1D6 engine and a Hartzell HC-E2YR-1BF variable-pitch propeller. The fuel system consists of two integral wing tanks, a selector valve, a gascolator (located in the engine compartment), an electric fuel pump, and an engine-driven fuel pump. Drain points are located at each fuel tank and in the selector valve. The aircraft did not have fuel sump drains on the lines between the tanks and the selector valve. The gascolator drain valve was accessible only after removing the engine cowlings and with difficulty.
Examination Findings
Initial inspection at the crash site revealed no obvious anomalies. Sufficient fuel remained in both tanks, and oil level was normal. No fuel or oil leaks were evident. A detailed examination of the fuel system followed. The fuel selector valve handle was found in the "both" position, but original placards had been replaced with homemade pink labels. The safeguard preventing inadvertent movement to "OFF" was plastically deformed and rusted, no longer effective. The selector valve drain, operated by pulling up the handle, was initially seized but freed after several movements; no fuel drained, likely due to leakage when fuel lines were disconnected during wing removal. The gascolator was drained into a clean container, revealing fuel contaminated with a whitish liquid (presumed water) and small black particles. A green fuel layer floated above a white layer that settled at the bottom. Disassembly of the gascolator showed semi-solid contaminants resembling white gelatin. The injection system screen filter also confirmed contamination, with water droplets found.
Damage
The aircraft sustained heavy damage to the left wing, fuselage, and propeller. Minor damage occurred to the cultivated field.
Pilot Information
The 59-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot Licence issued in 2007, with a SEP (land) rating. Total flight experience on certified airplanes was approximately 141 hours, with 31 hours on the Rockwell Commander. The pilot also had around 780 hours on ultralight aircraft.