What happened
On August 19, 2020, a student pilot was conducting a solo training flight near Kardašovy Řečice, Czech Republic, performing maneuvers including turns and climbs. During a right-hand turn, the pilot experienced intermittent engine vibrations, followed by a sudden and significant loss of engine power. After verifying that fuel levels and pressure were normal, the pilot determined that the engine would not respond to throttle adjustments.
Unable to return to Jindřichův Hradec airport, the pilot selected a field for an emergency landing. While the pilot successfully avoided a nearby cornfield, the chosen landing site consisted of partially waterlogged soil. During the landing roll, the nose wheel sank into the soft ground, causing the nose gear to break. This resulted in the propeller, the forward fuselage, and the right wing tip striking the ground. The pilot sustained minor injuries, but the aircraft sustained extensive damage.
The investigation
An investigation by the ÚZPLN focused on the engine failure and the circumstances of the landing. Investigators examined the engine, an Avia M 337 A, and performed a teardown of the components. Laboratory analysis of the fuel and oil samples confirmed they met all required specifications and contained no contaminants.
The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history, noting it had been regularly serviced and was airworthy until the failure. The investigation examined the landing site conditions, specifically the soil's load-bearing capacity, and the pilot's decision-making process during the emergency.