Incident Overview
On September 5, 2020, at 12:21 UTC (14:21 local time), a Tecnam P92 Echo Super ultra-light aircraft with registration OK-QUU 90 crashed into a field located approximately 1.12 km east of Rokycany Airport in the Czech Republic. The investigation was conducted by the Institute for Expert Investigation of Causes of Aviation Accidents (ÚZPLN) under report number CZ-20-0577.
Flight Progression and Emergency
The aircraft was on a recreational navigation flight with a pilot and one passenger aboard. After an intermediate stop at LKBURA, where they remained for about 1.5 hours, the crew continued their planned route. While flying over Zbiroh at an altitude of 2,500 ft, the pilot observed a growing discrepancy in fuel quantity indications between the left and right tanks.
To address this, the pilot performed a 360-degree right turn to equalize fuel levels. When the situation did not improve, the pilot activated the electric fuel pump, closed the right tank's fuel valve, and proceeded directly toward Rokycany Airport (LKRY). Subsequently, the engine began losing power and failed to respond to throttle inputs.
Crash Sequence and Aftermath
Recognizing the loss of power, the pilot decided to execute an emergency landing in terrain. During the approach, the engine stopped completely. The aircraft overflew high-voltage power lines before making a hard landing on a freshly mowed field, where it overturned onto its back.
A tractor driver assisted the pilot in exiting the wreckage. Together, they extracted the unconscious passenger from the cabin. The passenger was resuscitated and airlifted to a hospital but died four days after the accident. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The aircraft suffered extensive damage during the emergency landing.