What happened
On September 27, 2025, at approximately 13:57 UTC, an Ikarus C42B, registration YR-5152, was conducting a private flight from the Iași-Sud aerodrome (LRIS) in Romania. Following engine start and standard pre-flight checks, the aircraft, carrying a pilot and one passenger, taxied and departed from runway 13.
Shortly after takeoff on a heading of 130°, while at an altitude of less than 150 meters, the pilot initiated a left turn. This maneuver was likely an attempt to return to the departure field. During this turn, the aircraft descended and struck trees located southeast of the aerodrome, eventually crashing within a military installation area.
The impact caused the aircraft to catch fire, which subsequently destroyed the airframe. The pilot sustained serious injuries, while the passenger suffered minor injuries. Both occupants were transported to an emergency medical facility.
The investigation
The preliminary investigation by the Romanian authorities included an on-site examination of the wreckage and the accident area. Investigators collected photographic and video evidence, interviewed eyewitnesses, and reviewed local surveillance footage to reconstruct the sequence of events. The investigation is ongoing.