What happened
On August 17, 2018, at approximately 12:38 local time, a Kit Fox ultralight aircraft crashed near Duszniki Wielkopolskie, Poland. The impact with the ground resulted in a post-crash fire that caused the total destruction of the aircraft. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident.
The investigation
The investigation revealed that the aircraft's airframe had previously been severely damaged by a fire at the pilot's residence on April 13, 2017. Photos from the State Fire Service showed that the aircraft's skin, engine electrical systems, and cockpit instrumentation were all burned, with visible heat damage to the engine and propeller.
Following this fire, the owner—who held a mechanic qualification for aircraft with a maximum takeoff mass of up to 495 kg—attempted to restore the aircraft to airworthiness. These repairs were conducted in a garage setting using the owner's personal knowledge and skills. While an aviation mechanic consulted during the investigation noted that such extensive fire damage recovery should have been performed in a certified aviation maintenance facility, the owner proceeded with the self-repair.
Additionally, the investigation established that the aircraft, which carried the registration OE-CIF (later re-registered under Italian oversight as I-C549), was being operated in violation of Polish aviation regulations.
Findings
- The aircraft had undergone significant structural and electrical damage due to a prior fire.
- The unauthorized garage-based repairs performed by the owner may have directly impacted the aircraft's structural integrity and controllability.
- The aircraft was being operated in a manner inconsistent with applicable Polish aviation laws.