What happened
On April 24, 2015, at approximately 13:00 local time, a private Kitfox IV-1200 aircraft, registration HB-YFS, experienced a sudden loss of power during the cruise phase of flight. The engine failure occurred while the aircraft was operating in the Gemmi region at an altitude of approximately 11,000 feet AMSL.
Following the failure of the HKS 700T engine, the pilot initially attempted to reach Reichenbach airfield. However, the pilot subsequently decided to perform an emergency landing in the Kandergrund area. During the landing sequence on a meadow, the aircraft struck a fence. This impact caused the aircraft to capsize, resulting in significant damage to the wings, landing gear, and propeller. While the pilot sustained minor injuries, no other occupants or third parties were harmed.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading from the engine failure at altitude to the impact on the ground. Investigators examined the mechanical failure of the HKS 700T engine and the subsequent flight maneuvers performed by the pilot. The investigation also assessed the impact of the terrain and obstacles, specifically the fence encountered during the landing, which contributed to the aircraft's rollover.