Accident
On 26 April 2014 at approximately 10:17 local time, a Piper PA-18 "150" Super Cub, registration HB-PIJ, crashed at Locarno Aerodrome (LSZL) in Switzerland. The aircraft was engaged in a private visual flight rules (VFR) flight. After receiving takeoff clearance at 10:14:22, the aircraft departed from runway 26C and entered an initial climb at an indicated speed of 60 mph. At an estimated height of between 50 and 80 meters, the engine suddenly lost power, though the propeller continued to turn. The pilot confirmed that the throttle was fully forward and transmitted a mayday call at 10:16:18. Believing no suitable terrain was ahead, the pilot initiated a left turn with the intention of landing on runway 08R. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck the ground in a grassy field near the threshold of runway 08R, with a nose-down attitude and steep left bank. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was seriously damaged, and the grassy field sustained slight hydrocarbon pollution.
Pilot Information
The pilot, an Italian citizen born in 1978, held a commercial pilot licence (CPL(A)) issued by the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation on 14 March 2008. His total flight experience was 437 hours, with 30 hours on type. In the 90 days preceding the accident, he had flown 0:45 hours.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-18 "150" Super Cub, serial number unknown, built in 1953. It was powered by a Lycoming O-320-A2B engine producing 150 hp, driving a fixed-pitch two-blade metal propeller. The airframe had accumulated 4,171:22 hours total time, and the engine 2,216:14 hours total time (361:14 hours since overhaul). The certificate of airworthiness was valid until 18 June 2015. Fuel capacity was 18 US gallons (136 liters), and approximately 100 liters were on board at the time of the accident. Takeoff weight was 783 kg, within the maximum of 794 kg; center of gravity was within limits.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed: all electrical switches were ON except cabin light and AUX AVIONIC; flaps were retracted; the propeller was vertical with the top blade intact and the bottom blade bent under the cowling; three propeller attachment bolts were sheared; engine oil level was 7 quarts; the lower spark plug of cylinder 3 was wet with oil, the other seven dry; magneto selector was on BOTH; primer was pushed and secured; mixture control was full rich; throttle was at half travel; carburetor heat was OFF; the fuel selector was found in the CLOSED position; the fuel strainer bowl was torn off in the impact.
Probable Cause
The accident was due to a collision with the ground following a loss of control during a turn executed at low altitude. The pilot executed the turn due to a power loss probably caused by a fuel supply defect.