Incident Overview
On March 26, 2013, at approximately 15:51 local time, a Jodel D11 aircraft registered as HB-SUV experienced a loss of engine power while operating under visual flight rules (VFR). The incident occurred one kilometer northwest of Gossau in the canton of Zurich. The aircraft was owned and operated by Stoffel Aviation GmbH based in Hittnau.
Flight Details and Crew
The flight was a training exercise involving a Swiss flight instructor holding an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) and an Austrian student pilot with no prior license. The student had accumulated only 22 minutes of total flight time, all on this specific aircraft type within the last 90 days. The weather conditions at the time included low clouds, light snowfall, and visibility restricted to approximately four kilometers.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft departed from Speck-Fehraltorf (LSZK) at 15:36. During the flight, the instructor intended to demonstrate the effect of elevator trim and planned to switch the fuel selector from the main tank to the auxiliary tank during a cruise check. According to the investigation, the instructor inadvertently set the fuel selector to the 'OFF' position instead of the 'AUXILIARY TANK' position. This action resulted in a loss of engine power within 30 to 60 seconds.
Emergency Response and Outcome
Upon recognizing the fuel selector error, the instructor attempted to restore power by returning the switch to the 'ON' position, but normal engine performance was not regained. With limited altitude above ground level, the pilot initiated an emergency landing in a nearby meadow. The aircraft touched down hard, rotated approximately 120 degrees, and came to rest on its belly with the main gear collapsed after traveling about 30 meters.
Both occupants exited the severely damaged aircraft unharmed. Swiss Air Force helicopters located the wreckage shortly after the distress call was broadcast at 15:50:31. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) was activated upon impact.