What happened
On September 3, 2007, a Solar Wings Aviation Pegasus XL-Q, registration G-MZCP, was involved in an accident in Carnew, Co Wexford, during a private flight. The aircraft had been purchased in the United Kingdom and delivered to the pilot only one day prior to the incident. After assembling the microlight, the pilot attempted an initial flight.
During the flight, the pilot experienced difficult handling characteristics, which were suspected to be the result of a rigging error during assembly. In response to these difficulties, the pilot executed a right turn and opted to land in a nearby farm field, roughly 300 meters from the departure point. Upon touchdown, the nose of the aircraft lifted before dropping back down, causing the nose to dig into the ground. The impact caused the nose wheel to separate and the wings to fold forward, resulting in the destruction of the microlight. The pilot sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot possessed approximately 25 hours of previous flying experience on a different microlight model, but had no recent flying experience and held no valid pilot's license. Furthermore, the pilot was unaware that a Private Pilot’s Licence - Microlight is a requirement for operating such aircraft within the State.
Regarding the aircraft's airworthiness, the UK Permit to Fly for G-MZCP had expired earlier in the year and had not been renewed by the previous owner. The investigation also noted that at the time of the accident, the pilot believed there were no available training facilities for this specific aircraft type within the Republic of Ireland.
Findings
- The pilot attempted to operate a modern microlight without specific training or supervision on the type.
- The aircraft's handling was compromised, potentially due to incorrect assembly or rigging.
- The pilot was operating without the required Private Pilot’s Licence.
- There was evidence of unlicensed microlight operations occurring within the country.
Safety action
As a result of the investigation, a safety recommendation (SR 24 of 2008) was issued, calling for the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and the National Microlight Association of Ireland (NMAI) to jointly review the regulatory and operational framework governing microlight operations in Ireland.