What happened
On May 16, 2005, at approximately 17:19 local time, a Jodel DR 1050 Ambassadeur departed from Borkenberge airport for a local flight. The aircraft was operated by a pilot and carried one passenger. Shortly after takeoff from runway 26, the engine began to run unevenly. As the aircraft climbed, it reached an altitude of approximately 30 feet over the end of the 600-meter runway when it suffered a significant loss of power, followed by a total engine failure.
In an attempt to return to the airfield, the pilot entered a left-hand turn at low altitude, which led to a collision with trees located at the western edge of the airfield. The impact occurred at a 30-degree angle, causing the left wing and left main landing gear to break away, while the engine block separated from the fuselage. The two occupants sustained light injuries, but the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the mechanical state of the engine and the fuel system. The aircraft, a 1961 model, had undergone an annual inspection on April 30, 2005, and a 100-hour inspection on May 11, 2005. Investigators examined the carburetor, exhaust, spark plugs, and magnetos, finding no defects in these components. The propeller showed no signs of damage or ground contact marks, suggesting it had stopped upon impact.
While the fuel lines were found to be clear and filled with fuel, the investigation of the fuel system revealed a critical blockage. The filter within the nose tank was found to be clogged with a fine, powdery material consisting of lead and tin deposits.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by an interrupted fuel supply.
- The fine metallic debris (lead and tin) in the nose tank filter restricted the flow of fuel to the engine.
- Because the flight was conducted using fuel from the nose tank, the engine could not maintain sufficient power during the climb.
- The pilot was unable to reach suitable terrain for an emergency landing following the failure, leading to the collision with trees.