Credit: Private Pilot Expedition
On Thursday 10 September 2026, the Luxembourg Aeronautical Federation (Fédération Aéronautique Luxembourgeoise - FAL) announced that two pilots taking part in the Private Pilot Expedition to Georgia 2026 escaped unharmed after their aircraft was forced to ditch in the Black Sea following a complete engine failure.
According to FAL, the incident occurred on Wednesday 9 September 2026 while the WT-9 Dynamic was flying at an altitude of approximately 2,000 metres over the Black Sea as part of the expedition.
The Belgian-Luxembourgish crew, which included an experienced pilot, reportedly reacted quickly after the engine failed. Following several unsuccessful attempts to restart it, the two men had to decide whether to deploy the aircraft's emergency parachute or attempt a controlled landing on the water.
They chose a controlled ditching and successfully completed the manoeuvre without sustaining any injuries, stated FAL.
Meanwhile, another aircraft taking part in the expedition immediately returned to the scene and circled above the area. Its crew maintained continuous visual contact with the two pilots and their aircraft until the rescue boat arrived.
By the time the rescue boat reached the scene, both men had safely exited the WT-9 Dynamic. According to FAL, they also had enough time to retrieve their luggage and personal belongings before the aircraft sank into the Black Sea.
Peter Sodermans, organiser of the Private Pilot Expedition to Georgia 2026, commented: “The aircraft was lost but ultimately that is incidental. Two people will return home safe and sound. That is what truly matters.”
He thanked the emergency services for the speed and professionalism of their response, as well as the crew of the aircraft that remained above the area and everyone who contributed to the operation.
FAL also expressed its relief and offered its support to the two pilots and the other participants in the expedition.
The federation noted that the exact cause of the engine failure will now have to be determined through the appropriate procedures and investigations, adding that no assumptions would be made until officially confirmed information becomes available.
As reported in late August 2026, the expedition began on Saturday 29 August 2026, when nine light aircraft departed Luxembourg Airport. The 7,400 km journey was expected to take participants through eleven countries, with additional crews joining along the route from Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. After reaching Georgia, the crews were expected to return via Greece, Italy and France, with the fifteen-day expedition scheduled to conclude on Saturday 12 September 2026.
