Accident Overview
On 17 October 2024, at approximately 13:34 UTC (16:34 LT), a BRM Construcoes Aeronautical LDA Citius Sport ultralight aircraft, registered YR-5663, conducted an emergency landing on the sports field of the National Military College "Ștefan cel Mare" in Câmpulung Moldovenesc, Suceava County, Romania. The aircraft was operated by a private owner on a private flight. The pilot and one passenger were on board; both left the aircraft under their own power without injury.
Flight History
The pilot planned a round trip from Frătăuți airfield to Ghindari airfield and back. The aircraft departed Frătăuți at 10:23 UTC, landed at Ghindari at 11:30 UTC, and departed for the return leg at 12:38 UTC. During the return flight, abnormal engine operation prompted the pilot to initiate an emergency landing near the military college.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The Citius Sport (serial 0318/912ULS/K3/21-CT, 2021) is a high-wing, two-seat ULM with a Rotax 912ULS engine and fixed tricycle landing gear. It had flown 440 hours total. The 58-year-old pilot held a valid license and medical certificate, with 7,000 total flight hours, including 400 on type. The aircraft had 40 liters of fuel at takeoff, enough for about 2 hours 15 minutes at normal cruise; no navigation reserve was included.
Meteorological Conditions
According to data from the Poiana Stampei meteorological station located approximately 50 km from the accident site, at the time of the event the wind was from the east-northeast at an average speed of 16 km/h (4.3 m/s), with gusts up to 28.8 km/h (8 m/s). Visibility was 20 km with clear skies.
Emergency Landing and Damage
Due to fuel exhaustion, the engine stopped. The pilot selected the sports field for landing but during the final approach, the aircraft was too high to land on the chosen area. The pilot continued between two trees behind the field; the right wing struck a tree, damaging the leading edge and causing a rightward turn. The aircraft then impacted the ground after a 90° direction change. The right wing leading edge was damaged, the main landing gear deformed, the nose wheel fork broke, the windshield cracked, and propeller blades broke. The engine was off at impact.
Investigative Findings
The investigation identified the cause as engine shutdown due to lack of fuel. Contributing factors included the absence of a navigation reserve in the fuel calculation and the non-observance of the minimum fuel warning light (a red indicator that illuminates when only reserve fuel remains).