Fatal Engine Failure of a Robin DR 400/140 B Near Herlatzkofen

Incident Overview and Flight Details On 1 September 2016, a Robin DR 400/140 B aircraft operated by a German air sports club crashed near Herlatzkofen, resulting in the deaths of all three people on board. The pilot, a 33-year-old private pilot, had planned a sightseeing flight toward Friedrichshafen with two guests. The aircraft took off from runway 24 at Leutkirch-Unterzeil at 12:25 local time. Approximately four minutes into the flight, the pilot reported engine problems and illuminated warning lights to air traffic control. At that time, radar data indicated the aircraft was at an altitude of about 3,300 feet AMSL, roughly 4.5 nautical miles south of the airfield. A witness observed the aircraft fly over a farm before the engine sound ceased, after which the aircraft glided toward the crash site. ## Aircraft and Engine Specifications The aircraft was a four-seat, single-engine, low-wing wooden monoplane with fixed tricycle landing gear. It was powered by a TAE 125-02-992 Centurion 2.0 diesel engine producing 99 kW (135 hp) and equipped with a three-blade constant-speed metal propeller. The engine, installed in December 2011, had 1,464 hours of operating time at the time of the accident. The aircraft's total operating time was 2,754.35 hours. The calculated takeoff weight was approximately 920 kg, within the maximum takeoff weight of 980 kg. ## Accident Investigation and Findings The aircraft was found destroyed in a hilly meadow about 2,000 meters west of Herlatzkofen. The main wreckage was scattered over an area of approximately 10 by 10 meters. The engine's FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) data showed that the pilot moved the power lever to full throttle multiple times, but the boost pressure dropped to ambient levels and the injection pressure fell to zero. The engine speed and oil pressure were subsequently maintained only by windmilling of the propeller. The aircraft's GPS data could not be recovered, and a tablet found at the scene was too damaged to read. The probable cause was an engine failure shortly after takeoff, leading to an uncontrolled flight attitude and impact with the ground.