What happened
On September 2, 2005, at approximately 13:35 UTC, a Cessna F 152 departed from Spitzerberg airfield (LOAS) for a training flight toward Punitz (LOGP). The flight was conducted as a circuit pattern.
During the return leg to Spitzerberg, while cruising at an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet, the pilot observed a rapid drop in the fuel gauge reading accompanied by engine sputtering. Shortly thereafter, the engine suffered a complete failure. The pilot notified air traffic services via frequency 118.525 that the aircraft had run out of fuel and declared an intention to perform an emergency landing near Parndorf.
The pilot managed to execute a controlled touchdown in a field. However, the available landing area proved insufficient in length, causing the aircraft to continue rolling toward a wooded area. The aircraft eventually came to a stop after colliding with trees. The impact resulted in two light injuries to the crew and passengers, who were able to exit the aircraft independently. The aircraft was destroyed in the collision.
The investigation
The investigation was initiated by the Austro Control GmbH search and rescue center and subsequently taken over by the Federal Safety Investigation Office (SUB). Because the incident occurred prior to the enactment of the 2005 Accident Investigation Act, the investigation was conducted under the previous legal framework. The investigation focused on reconstructing the flight path and determining the sequence of events leading to the engine failure and subsequent impact.