What happened
On March 14, 2010, an Ultravia Pelican PL (registration PH-DAY) was conducting a local flight departing from Drachten airport. The flight, which included the pilot and one passenger, initially proceeded toward the Wadden Sea area near Lauwersoog. During the return leg to Drachten, the pilot noticed a significant drop in engine RPM while flying at approximately 1,000 feet. Despite increasing power, the engine failed to respond, prompting the pilot to seek an emergency landing site.
As the aircraft descended to 800 feet, the pilot identified a suitable field. However, the aircraft lost altitude more rapidly than anticipated, making the original target field unreachable. The pilot subsequently opted to land on a grassland directly ahead. During the landing, the aircraft struck the ground with its right wingtip, causing the nose wheel to break off and the propeller to strike the earth. The aircraft then veered across the ground, sustaining heavy damage to the left wing and tail before coming to a halt against a metal fence. There were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
The Dutch Safety Board (OVV) conducted a limited investigation, focusing on site inspections and a visual examination of the wreckage. Investigators confirmed that sufficient fuel remained in the tanks at the time of the incident. However, the investigation was constrained as the aircraft engine was sold shortly after the accident without being examined for mechanical or electrical failures. Furthermore, the builder and owner did not respond to requests for technical assistance or data retrieval.
Findings
While the exact cause of the engine failure remains undetermined, investigators noted that the atmospheric conditions—specifically a temperature of 4.0°C and a dew point of 2.5°C at 1,000 feet—presented a high risk of carburetor icing. The aircraft was not equipped with an intake air pre-heating system, which the manufacturer identifies as the only effective remedy for such icing.
Additionally, the pilot's execution of the emergency landing was influenced by a lack of specific familiarity with the Ultravia Pelican PL's emergency procedures, as the pilot had relied on procedures used for a Cessna 152. The rapid loss of altitude and a resulting crosswind during the landing likely caused the aircraft to lift on the left wing, leading to the impact of the right wingtip and the subsequent structural damage.