What happened
On 27 March 2017, a Rutan Long-EZ, registration EI-CPI, was conducting a local flight near Waterford Airport. Approximately 18 minutes after departing Runway 21, the pilot declared a MAYDAY, reporting that the engine had stopped while flying at 2,000 feet near Dungarvan. The pilot indicated that a field had been selected for an emergency landing.
During the descent, witnesses observed the aircraft making several maneuvers. Some noted hearing engine backfires and sputtering before the engine ceased operation entirely. The aircraft followed a flight path that eventually led it to strike several obstacles, including power lines and a hedge, before ultimately impacting a line of trees at a height of 4.4 meters. The impact destroyed the aircraft and resulted in one fatality.
The investigation
The AAIU examined the aircraft, which was an amateur-built design, and found no significant pre-existing mechanical defects. The investigation reviewed the pilot's medical history, noting he had passed a Class 2 medical examination just one month prior and was in good health. The investigation also analyzed the aircraft's flight characteristics, noting that the Long-EZ design features a canard that can partially obscure the pilot's forward visibility below the horizon during certain approach angles.
Investigators also assessed the environmental conditions. Meteorological data indicated that the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident presented a high risk of serious induction icing at any power setting. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the aircraft's final approach path involved a tailwind, which would have increased the groundspeed and the distance required for a safe landing.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a collision with a tree during an attempted forced landing following an engine stoppage.
- Atmospheric conditions carried a high probability of serious induction icing, which may have contributed to the engine failure.
- The pilot's flight path resulted in the aircraft striking multiple obstacles despite an open landing area being available to the right.
- The aircraft's design and the presence of a tailwind increased the difficulty of the forced landing maneuver.
- There was no evidence of pilot incapacitation or impairment during the event.