History of Flight
On 21 July 2025, before noon, a pilot and a passenger arrived at Ząbkowice Śląskie to retrieve their Bristell S-LSA aircraft for a flight to Warsaw. The pilot used a field approximately 200 meters from the hangar for takeoff; this site was not registered as an aerodrome with the Polish Civil Aviation Authority (ULC). Takeoff occurred around 12:15 local time.
The flight path was partially recorded by FlightRadar24. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot established radio contact with FIS "Poznań" and the flight plan was opened. About 1.5 minutes later, the FIS asked about the transponder code, and the pilot confirmed the assigned squawk. After another two minutes, the pilot reported fuel pressure problems and a decision to return to the departure point. He suggested closing the flight plan and mentioned the need to "check the aircraft after landing." The FIS offered assistance, but the pilot replied that he was "flying slowly for now" and would report his position when he saw the landing area. Approximately four minutes later, the FIS attempted to contact the pilot but received no response. The total flight duration was about 10 minutes.
Around 12:30, the aircraft was positioned 1.5 kilometers southeast of the landing area at 1,150 ft AMSL (as per FlightRadar24). It then impacted the ground hard. FlightRadar24 data ceased at 12:29. The last recorded vertical speed was nearly 900 ft/min (approximately 5 m/s), with a ground speed of 80 km/h and a course of 51°. The impact characteristics indicated a fall from considerable altitude with a high rate of descent, possibly suggesting a spin.
Witnesses alerted emergency services. Helicopters from the Polish Medical Air Rescue (LPR) arrived and extracted the occupants from the wreckage. Both individuals were transported to hospitals in life-threatening condition.
Injuries
The pilot and passenger both sustained serious injuries. No fatalities occurred.
Aircraft Damage
The Bristell S-LSA was completely destroyed. The impact was nearly vertical, after which the aircraft flipped onto its back. The engine and airframe absorbed the impact energy. Fuel tanks in the wings ruptured, and fuel leaked into the soil. No fire occurred. Emergency services did not use firefighting agents.
The ballistic recovery system installed in the fuselage forward of the cockpit showed no signs of activation. The safety pin used to arm the system before flight had been removed.
Other Information
Pilot: The pilot, a 40-year-old male, held a valid Czech Light Aircraft Association (LAA) pilot license and a valid Class 2 and LAPL medical certificate without restrictions. His experience and preparation are under investigation. He was familiar with the takeoff site and had flown from it multiple times.
Aircraft: The Bristell S-LSA is a two-seat, ultralight low-wing aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear. Empty weight was 416 kg (according to the nameplate), and maximum takeoff weight was 600 kg. The engine was a Rotax 915IS driving a three-blade MTV-34-1 wood propeller. The aircraft was manufactured by BRM Aero Ltd. (Czech Republic), serial number 508/2020, built in 2020, registration SP-SBSB. The owner and operator was a limited liability company. The aircraft held a valid experimental airworthiness certificate (category K6E, subcategory UL-A). A maintenance release for a 100-hour/annual inspection was issued in June 2025. The ballistic recovery system (Magnum, Stratos) was inspected in May 2020 and remained valid.
Accident Site: The aircraft came to rest in a cultivated field (low crop) on its southern edge. The field extends approximately 400 meters northward. Coordinates: 50°33'44.4"N 16°50'26.4"E.
Weather: Favorable VMC/VFR conditions prevailed in the Ząbkowice Śląskie area, with developed cumulus thermic activity. Weather was excluded as a factor in the event based on information available at the time of the preliminary report.
Flight Recorders: The aircraft was equipped with a Garmin G3X system that monitored flight and engine parameters. The unit was destroyed. Recovery attempts are ongoing.
Commission Actions
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) took the following actions:
- No statements were obtained from the pilot or passenger due to their medical condition.
- Event notifications were sent to EASA, UZPLN (Czech Republic), BMK (Austria), and ULC.
- Photographic and descriptive documentation of the accident site and wreckage was completed.
- Actions were taken to gather the pilot's documentation and aircraft airworthiness records.
- The wreckage was secured in coordination with the prosecutor's office in Ząbkowice Śląskie.
- An engine specialist was assigned to the investigation.
Planned Actions
- Read out engine control module data.
- Inspect avionics and electrical systems.
- Recover data from the damaged Garmin G3X.
- Inspect the engine and fuel system.
- Analyze flight profile and possibilities for a precautionary landing.
- Evaluate pilot qualifications and preparation.
- Assess human factors.
- Analyze survivability factors.
- Prepare, consult, and publish a final report.