What happened
On July 18, 2019, at 08:31 LT, a Moravan n.p. Z 526 F, registration YU-CDG, crashed near Ečka Airport in Zrenjanin. The aircraft, owned by Aeroklub "Falcons," was engaged in a planned training flight to practice an aerobatic program for an upcoming public performance.
Following a standard pre-flight inspection and engine warm-up, the pilot departed from runway 33. After reaching an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters, the pilot began executing a series of aerobatic maneuvers. After completing an initial set of figures, the pilot transitioned into a second, different set of maneuvers. During this second sequence, the aircraft entered a dive. At a speed of approximately 280 km/h and an impact angle of roughly 85 degrees, the aircraft struck the ground. The impact was so severe that the fuselage was embedded more than 1.5 meters into the soil, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The CINS investigation established that the aircraft was in airworthy condition prior to the accident and that meteorological conditions were favorable (CAVOK). The investigation focused on the pilot's physiological state and flight proficiency.
Investigators found that the pilot had not flown this specific aircraft type since November 2018, suggesting a lack of recent currency for complex maneuvers. Furthermore, toxicological analysis of the pilot's remains revealed the presence of alcohol (0.47 mg/g in the heart and 0.58 mg/g in the lungs). The investigation also noted that the pilot had been suffering from a cold and fever in the days leading up to the accident.
Findings
- The direct cause of the accident was the high-speed impact with the ground at an extreme angle.
- The pilot's psychomotor abilities were impaired due to alcohol consumption.
- The pilot's physical condition, including recent illness, likely contributed to an inadequate assessment of altitude and airspeed during the dive.
- There was a lack of recent flight experience on the specific aircraft type for the intended maneuvers.
- Current regulations in the region do not require specific Display Authorizations for aerobatic performances at public events, which represents a safety gap.