What happened
On 12 January 2020, a FK 14B Polaris, registration ZU-EWD, departed from Runway 03 at Springs Aerodrome (FASI) for a local private flight. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft's engine began to sputter and subsequently stopped. In an attempt to return to the aerodrome, the pilot executed a sharp right-hand turn. This maneuver involved a steep bank angle of approximately 75 degrees, which caused the aircraft to lose airspeed and altitude. The aircraft entered a stall and transitioned into a right-side spin. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts confirmed the aircraft completed three revolutions in a spin before impacting the ground in an open area north of the aerodrome. The impact destroyed the aircraft and resulted in two fatalities.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's fuel state, maintenance records, and the pilot's pre-flight actions. Investigators analyzed wreckage, including the engine and fuel systems, and reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby hangar. The investigation also looked into the serviceability of the aircraft's Ballistic Recovery System (BRS) and the pilot's pre-flight inspection procedures. Evidence from the wreckage, including the position of the BRS activation pin and the lack of a fuel measuring stick, was evaluated alongside the engine's fuel-starvation indicators.