Event
On 2 April 2011, at approximately 14:00 UTC, a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4, registration D-FATA, was involved in an accident near Ravenna Airport (LIDR). The aircraft had been conducting a series of parachute jump flights. During the seventh flight of the day, shortly after takeoff from runway 08, a propulsion system malfunction occurred. Reaching an altitude of about 50 feet, the aircraft began a left turn while losing altitude. After completing approximately 160 degrees of turn, it impacted the ground on a cultivated field about 380 meters north of the airport.
Occupants and Injuries
There were 11 people on board: one pilot, one passenger, and nine parachutists. All occupants sustained injuries, some of them serious. No third-party damage on the ground was reported.
Aircraft Information
The Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 is a single-engine, high-wing turboprop aircraft with a fixed tricycle landing gear and tailwheel. It was manufactured in 1994, serial number 894. The engine was a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27, and the propeller was a Hartzell HC-D4N-3P/D9511F. The aircraft had a valid airworthiness certificate. Total hours: airframe 5,797 hours 24 minutes, engine 6,341 hours 16 minutes, propeller 2,615 hours 31 minutes. The last inspection was on 30 September 2010.
Pilot Information
The 52-year-old male pilot held a valid PPL(A) license with endorsements for the Pilatus PC-6 and parachute jumping, and a valid second-class medical certificate. His total flight time was 299 hours 30 minutes, with 14 hours 41 minutes in the last 90 days (all on D-FATA), 8 hours 6 minutes in the last 7 days, and about 2 hours in the last 24 hours.
Location and Meteorological Conditions
Ravenna Airport is located about 7 km south of Ravenna, at sea level, with a single asphalt runway 08/26 measuring 1,200 m by 30 m. The airport is managed by Aero Club di Ravenna. At the time of the accident, the impact area was flat, dry, and compact. Weather conditions were nearly clear sky, excellent visibility, light wind from the east, temperature 20 °C, and pressure 1018 hPa.
Investigation
The Italian safety authority (ANSV) is conducting the investigation. The engine and associated accessories have been seized by judicial authorities and are to be sent to the manufacturer for examination. Fuel samples from the aircraft and the refueling tank showed no contamination. Oil analysis from the engine also showed no contamination. The pilot's GPS navigation device was examined but had no stored data as the recording function was not activated. Analysis of radio communications and radar tracks did not provide useful information for determining the cause.
The investigation is focusing on multiple aspects: human factors, particularly the pilot's decision-making after the possible engine failure; technical factors related to the engine operation; and safety procedures at the local parachute center.