What happened
On 23 January 2006, a Windlass Aquilla (Z-159), registration ZU-CFK, was conducting a private flight departing from Wintervogel Aerodrome. While the flight began under favorable weather conditions, the pilot noted that the wind became increasingly strong and gusty as the flight progressed. During the final approach to the gravel runway, the aircraft's engine failed. In an attempt to reach the airfield, the pilot attempted an emergency glide; however, the aircraft failed to reach the runway and struck a field approximately 800 meters from the landing strip, resulting in a nose-over. There were two people on board, and both sustained injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history and mechanical condition following the accident. The most recent annual inspection had been completed on 20 November 2005, with the aircraft having flown only 26.1 hours since that certification. Post-accident ground testing of the engine was conducted by an authorized technician, which confirmed that the engine was functioning correctly across all power settings. Consequently, investigators were unable to identify a specific mechanical reason for the engine failure. The pilot was found to be properly licensed and medically fit for the operation.
Findings
- The engine failure occurred in close proximity to the aerodrome.
- Weather conditions had deteriorated toward the end of the flight, characterized by winds of 160 degrees gusting between 10 and 20 knots.
- The pilot lost control of the aircraft while attempting to execute an emergency landing.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the impact.