What happened
On October 16, 2006, at approximately 16:30 local time, a Cessna 150J, registration OK-XKH, performed an emergency landing in a field near the village of Žichlice-Nadryby. The flight had departed from Plzeň Letkov (LKPL) at 16:00 for a flight in the area northeast of Plzeň.
Approximately thirty minutes into the flight, the pilot noticed irregular engine running and a decrease in RPM. The pilot attempted to compensate by increasing throttle, but the engine failed to regain power and ceased functioning entirely after several seconds. The pilot was flying over a large agricultural field at the time of the failure and successfully executed an emergency landing on the dry, suitable terrain. Following the landing, the pilot attempted to restart the engine multiple times without success.
No injuries were sustained by the pilot, and the aircraft sustained no damage during the landing.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation included a technical inspection of the aircraft and engine conducted on October 17, 2006. The inspection revealed that both fuel tanks contained approximately 35 liters of Avgas 100 and the oil level was at 6 quarts. No significant fluid leaks or visible damage to engine installations were found. During the inspection, the engine was successfully started and underwent a ground test, during which it operated within normal parameters. The aircraft's maintenance records showed that the last inspection had been completed in July 2006, and all airworthiness and insurance documentation were valid.
Findings
- The pilot was appropriately qualified for the planned flight.
- The aircraft was airworthy and free of defects at the time of departure.
- The meteorological conditions included air temperatures that could facilitate carburetor icing.
- The pilot failed to identify the engine irregularity as carburetor icing and did not activate the carburetor heat system.