What happened
On July 26, 2015, at 16:10 UTC, an AIR CREATION GT BI power hang glider was conducting a private flight along the coastline between Mira beach and Poço da Cruz beach in Portugal. The aircraft was flying at an altitude of approximately 100 feet above the water in a south-to-north direction. During the flight, the engine suddenly stopped.
Upon realizing the engine failure, the pilot executed a sharp turn to avoid hitting beachgoers on the sand. This maneuver resulted in a tight turn that led to a violent collision with the ground. The accident resulted in one fatality (the pilot) and one serious injury (the passenger).
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the aircraft' and engine components, including a teardown of the Rotax 582/90 engine. The investigation focused on the electrical system, fuel system, and the pilot's emergency response.
Technical analysis of the electrical system revealed a significant installation error: while a two-position switch for testing ignition was located on the front panel, a single switch was also installed near the rear seat. This secondary switch, if activated, could completely cut the ignition. Furthermore, the high-tension coils were incorrectly connected, meaning a failure in one coil would leave the engine running on only one cylinder rather than providing redundant power to both cylinders.
Regarding the fuel system, investigators found that the tubing used was of an incorrect diameter (10mm instead of the recommended 6/7mm) and that some clamps were insufficiently tight due to the oversized tubing. The investigation also noted that the carburetor needle settings were incorrect.
Findings
- The engine failure was likely caused by the inadvertent operation of the engine cut-off switch by the passenger.
- The pilot failed to properly manage the in-flight engine failure (IFSD) emergency, which ultimately led to the loss of control.
- The pilot's preparation for the flight and emergency procedures was inadequate.
- A sudden reduction in local visibility due to changing weather conditions may have forced the aircraft to fly at a dangerously low altitude.
- Improper installation of the electrical ignition switch and incorrect wiring of the high-tension coils were present.
- The fuel system utilized non-recommended tubing diameters and improper clamping.