What happened
On August 10, 2023, at approximately 12:05 local time, a fatal accident occurred involving an ultralight aircraft in the Batanica area of Zemun, Belgrade. The incident took place near the "13. Maj" airport during the initial phase of flight.
The pilot, a 70-year-old holder of an PPL/GAR license, had started the engine around 11:55 to conduct a short local flight. Witnesses reported that pre-flight checks and takeoff proceeded without any apparent issues. After lifting off, the aircraft climbed, after which the pilot retracted the flaps and initiated a gentle left turn.
Shortly into the maneuver, the pilot transmitted via radio that he was experiencing problems with the controls. No further communications were received from the cockpit. Witnesses observed the aircraft in its final descent phase at an altitude between 100 and 150 meters, initially in a slight left bank of 15-20 degrees with a downward angle of approximately 5 degrees. The situation deteriorated rapidly as the aircraft entered a steep left turn with a bank angle exceeding 45 degrees and a descent angle of about 15 degrees.
At 12:04-12:05, the ultralight struck the ground at high speed while still in the left turn. The left wing impacted an agricultural field first, causing the aircraft to rotate and strike the ground again 30-35 meters away. Upon impact, the fuselage flipped onto its back and immediately caught fire. Emergency services were notified by airport personnel and arrived quickly, but the fire had already consumed most of the fuselage along with parts of the wings and tail surfaces.
The investigation
CINS investigators examined the crash site and conducted a search approximately 300 meters northwest of the main impact zone. During this search, they recovered the left aileron from the aircraft's left wing. The severe damage caused by the ground impact and subsequent fire made it difficult to fully assess the control system's condition at the time of the accident.
Findings
The investigation established that the Ezeppa UM-1C, YU-A299 was destroyed beyond repair. The pilot suffered fatal injuries on site. While the exact mechanical failure could not be definitively isolated due to the destruction of the control surfaces, the pilot's radio transmission indicated a sudden loss or malfunction of flight controls during the maneuver.
The causal factors include the loss of control during a low-altitude turn shortly after takeoff. The rapid progression from reported control issues to impact suggests a critical failure in the aircraft's handling systems or structural integrity during the maneuver.
Safety action
CINS issued a recommendation for all owners and operators of this specific aircraft type to suspend flight operations immediately until the investigation is concluded and the circumstances leading to the accident are fully determined.