Vintage aircraft makes emergency landing in Itegem, Belgium — pilots unharmed after engine failure

A routine training flight turned dramatic on Tuesday evening when a 1958 French-built Piel CP-301A Emeraude vintage aircraft registered OO-JEP was forced to make an emergency landing in a field near Lenkestraat in Itegem (Heist-op-den-Berg) on a flight from Balen/Keiheuvel airfield (EBKH) to Grimbergen airfield (EBGB). Pilot-instructor Ronald and his student Ruud escaped unharmed after the plane’s engine suddenly failed around 17:00.

“Suddenly, the engine stopped,” said Ronald, a flight instructor with 35 years of experience. “The propeller was still windmilling, but at that moment, it was all about finding a suitable field and getting down safely.” The pair managed to land the aircraft without incident in a flat, open area free of obstacles — a decision that proved critical.

Emergency services arrived quickly, but no fire risk or fuel leaks were detected. Police secured the area, and the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority began an on-site investigation. A technician from Namur has been called to determine the cause of the failure, which could be related to ignition or fuel supply issues.

Ruud, who only purchased the aircraft in April and is training to fly tailwheel (taildragger) planes, had completed several flights earlier in the day. “I’ve had problems before, but this time it was completely different,” he said. “In the end, everything went well because we stayed calm and did what we’re trained to do.”

The fate of the aircraft now depends on whether it can be restarted. If not, the plane may have to be dismantled and towed away, as taking off from the field might prove impossible.

Despite the scare, both pilots expressed relief and gratitude that their emergency procedures worked perfectly, turning a potentially dangerous situation into a textbook safe landing.