Accident Overview
On 6 August 2009, at approximately 09:50 UTC, a Cessna F150L, registration OK-AVI, operated by Aviatický klub, s.r.o., was involved in an accident near the village of Chcebuz in the Czech Republic. The aircraft sustained substantial damage when it overturned after an emergency landing. The pilot and a passenger were not injured.
Flight Details
The flight originated from Roudnice nad Labem Airport (LKRO) at 08:45 UTC, with a planned navigation to Bezděz Castle and return. The pilot, a 31-year-old male holding a Private Pilot License (A) with a SEP land rating, was accompanied by a 31-year-old female passenger without aviation qualifications. The flight proceeded normally until approximately 09:44 UTC, while cruising at 250 meters AGL, when the pilot heard an unusual noise from the engine and felt a loss of power. The tachometer indicated 1800 RPM, and the aircraft began to descend. The pilot checked oil temperature and pressure, both normal, but was unable to maintain level flight despite two attempts to adjust the throttle.
Emergency Landing
Deciding to execute an emergency landing, the pilot selected a field ahead and to the left. He performed a left turn and landed in the field. The aircraft first touched down on the left main landing gear, then the right main gear, followed by the nose gear. The nose gear struck an uneven terrain feature, causing it to break. The aircraft then nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The engine, which had been running, stopped upon impact. The pilot shut off the electrical system, and he and the passenger evacuated the aircraft promptly.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft, a Cessna F150L (Reims Aviation, serial number F150-0940, built 1973), was extensively damaged. The fuselage skin was wrinkled and dented, particularly around the firewall. The engine mount fractured, and the engine detached, hanging by control cables, hoses, and wires. The nose gear was broken off. Both wings had wrinkled skins; the right wingtip was cracked and torn. The vertical stabilizer was fractured, and the rudder was bent. Both control yokes were broken at the locking pin hole. The propeller blades were asymmetrically bent, and the spinner was deformed.
Engine Examination
The engine, a Continental O-200-A (serial number 63255-6-A) with a fixed-pitch McCauley propeller, was disassembled for inspection. During teardown, investigators found one tooth broken on the crankshaft drive gear, which engages the starter pinion. The starter pinion showed significant wear, with about one-third of tooth height missing. The magnetos produced good spark, and spark plugs were functional. The rest of the engine components were in satisfactory condition relative to the hours since overhaul.
Pilot Information
The pilot had accumulated 134 hours and 25 minutes total flight time, with 129 hours and 20 minutes on the Cessna 150 type. He had flown 249 flights on type. His medical certificate was valid until 19 October 2009, and his radio operator license was current. He had not flown since 14 May 2009, when he flew 1 hour and 20 minutes over two flights.
Weather Conditions
According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, weather in the area was nearly clear with few cumulus clouds at 4,500 to 5,000 feet AGL. Surface wind was from 020° to 080° at 3 to 6 knots. Visibility exceeded 10 kilometers. No turbulence or icing was reported. The zero-degree isotherm was at 13,000 feet AMSL.