2006 Tecnam P92-JS accident near Sázava (OK-RWY)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On 9 July 2006, at 10:20 UTC, a Tecnam P92-JS with registration OK-RWY, operated by F AIR-REST s.r.o., experienced a loss of engine power while towing a promotional banner. The aircraft was flying at an altitude of 150 to 300 meters above the terrain. After 3 hours and 45 minutes of flight, the engine stopped over the right bank of the Sázava River. The pilot released the banner and selected a nearby area for a forced landing. ## Landing and Damage The pilot chose an uneven dirt storage area located between the river and the edge of Sázava. Upon touchdown, the left main landing gear detached after approximately five meters of ground roll, and the nose gear broke off a few meters later. The aircraft sustained heavy damage, including a destroyed propeller, damaged wing and tail surfaces, and a damaged engine. The pilot was not injured, and no other persons were harmed. ## Aircraft and Pilot Information The aircraft was powered by a Rotax 912 S2 engine. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had 100 hours and 13 minutes of flight time, exceeding its 100-hour maintenance interval by 13 minutes. The pilot, aged 27, held a valid commercial pilot license with a towing qualification and a valid medical certificate. The aircraft was fueled with 90 liters of BA 95 Natural automotive gasoline, which met the manufacturer's recommendations. ## Investigation and Probable Cause The investigation found that the aircraft was not listed in the operator's operational specification for the flight. The engine was sent to the manufacturer for repair, but the Rotax service center did not provide findings explaining the engine failure. The investigation concluded that the accident was caused by a chain of events where the pilot selected a flight route and altitude that significantly limited options for an emergency landing in the event of an engine failure. The pilot's decision to fly close to populated areas to maximize banner visibility left little room for a safe forced landing on suitable terrain.