What happened
On January 28, 2017, a pilot departed from the Schwäbisch Hall airfield (EDTY) for a cross-country flight toward Donaueschingen-Villingen (EDTD) in a UTVA 66. Prior to this flight, the pilot had completed four circuit patterns with a maintenance professional to regain familiarity with the aircraft after a six-month hiatus.
Due to a malfunctioning transponder, the pilot chose to fly around the east side of the Stuttgart control zone. While maneuvering southwest of the Stuttgart zone, the pilot noticed a critically low fuel level, followed shortly by several engine misfires. At approximately 16:15 local time, while flying at roughly 1,000 ft AMSL near Eschbronn-Mariazell, the pilot initiated an emergency landing on a snow-covered, sloping field. To avoid crossing a road located at the end of the landing area, the pilot intentionally pressed the aircraft into the ground during the touchdown.
The impact resulted in the destruction of the UTVA 66 and caused serious injuries to the pilot. Damage to the ground was also noted.
The investigation
The BFU examined the wreckage and the flight path using GPS data. The investigation focused on the condition of the engine, fuel levels, and the aircraft's structural integrity upon impact. The aircraft was found to have a broken right wing and a compressed right wing strut, while the left wing remained intact. The engine compartment was dry, and the lower spark plugs showed a white combustion pattern. While the right fuel tank was empty, the left tank contained 15 liters of fuel. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder, as they were not required by regulations for this type of operation.