What happened
On October 15, 2011, approximately five minutes after departing from runway 30 at LKHC, a pilot operating an L-13SW Vivat, registration OK-6114, experienced a sudden engine failure. While climbing to an altitude of approximately 300 meters AGL, the pilot felt a physical impact in the engine compartment, immediately followed by the loss of engine power.
The pilot transitioned the aircraft into a glide and executed an emergency landing on a grassy area south of the village of Lískovice. The landing was performed with the landing gear extended, and the aircraft remained undamaged. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the Mikron III S engine. A technical inspection of the engine revealed that the engine casing had been breached. Further examination established that a connecting rod had fractured, resulting in the detachment of the piston from the second cylinder and damage to the camshaft. The interior of the engine was heavily coated in oil, with fragments of the connecting rod found within the casing.
Investigators reviewed the maintenance documentation and found that the engine was within its valid airworthiness limits. However, it was noted that the defective connecting rod was not subject to radiographic inspection (X-ray defectoscopy), which is not a requirement for this specific engine series.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by the failure of a connecting rod.
- The failure originated from a hidden defect in the connecting rod that developed during operation.
- The engine was not subject to radiographic inspection protocols.
- The pilot was qualified and followed the appropriate emergency procedures for an engine failure in this aircraft type.