What happened
On April 28, 2025, at approximately 12:27 LT, a Sonaca S201, registration HB-KGI, was conducting a flight training mission under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The aircraft departed from Locarno Aerodrome (LSZL) with the intention of returning to the same airfield. During the flight, the aircraft experienced a sudden engine failure.
In response to the loss of power, the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a nearby field. Upon making contact with the ground, the aircraft's momentum caused it to overturn, eventually coming to a rest in an inverted position. The impact resulted in two light injuries among the occupants.
The investigation
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (SUST) initiated an inquiry into the incident. The investigation focused on the mechanical circumstances surrounding the power loss and the subsequent sequence of events that led to the aircraft overturning during the forced landing. The aircraft sustained significant damage, while the terrain in the landing site experienced only minor impact marks.