What happened
On July 13, 2024, at approximately 13:00 local time, a recreational flight involving a Quad City Challenger ultralight aircraft (registration ULM 003) resulted in a fatal accident near the Rungue “Dr. Carlos Barlo” Aerodrome (SCSA) in the Metropolitan Region of Chile.
The pilot was performing right-hand traffic circuits for runway 17. According to eyewitness testimony, the aircraft successfully completed three circuits before attempting a fourth takeoff. During this fourth departure, the aircraft plummeted toward the ground at a steep forward angle, impacting the terrain approximately 2 km southwest of the departure point. The impact was characterized by high energy and a nearly vertical 90-degree attitude. The aircraft was destroyed by a post-impact fire, and the pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators examined the wreckage and the flight path at the accident site, located in a flat area of vegetation near Route 5 Norte. The investigation focused on the aircraft's configuration, the pilot's flight path, and the weight and balance of the aircraft at the time of the accident.
Physical evidence from the wreckage indicated that the aircraft struck the ground with significant force and subsequently overturned. While the aircraft's structure was largely consumed by fire, the tail section remained intact. Investigators also reviewed meteorological data, which indicated cloudy skies and the potential for moderate descending air currents due to local mountain circulation, which could have influenced the aircraft's stability.
Findings
- The aircraft's center of gravity was outside the longitudinal rear limit at the time of the accident. Calculations indicated a center of gravity at 95.28 inches, exceeding the allowable longitudinal limit of 80 to 90 inches.
- The aircraft was operating as a motorized ultralight vehicle (ULM), which, under Chilean regulation DAN 103, does not meet the airworthiness standards of certified aircraft, placing maintenance and operational responsibility solely on the pilot or owner.
- The aircraft's weight at the time of the incident was approximately 447 lbs, with a maximum permissible descent weight of 800 lbs.
- The impact occurred with a high angle of inclination and high energy, suggesting a loss of control or aerodynamic instability during the fourth circuit attempt.