What happened
On July 16, 2018, an MD2D ultralight aircraft, registration PU-NAC, was conducting a local flight departing from Riacho das Almas, Pernambuco. During the operation, the pilot lost control of the aircraft, resulting in a collision with the ground at Fazenda Pororoca. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft and resulted in the fatal injuries of the pilot.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators reviewed the circumstances surrounding the flight and the pilot's credentials. The investigation focused on the regulatory status of the pilot's medical and flight certifications, as well as the operational context of the flight. The investigation was ultimately interrupted by CENIPA, as the authorities determined that further investigation would not yield additional benefits for accident prevention, noting that the contributing factors identified were already well-documented in previous safety studies.
Findings
- The pilot was operating with an aeronautical medical certificate that had been expired since 2015.
- The pilot's specific authorization for Trike experimental/aerospace activities (ULTK) had been expired since 2016.
- The pilot's specific flight experience regarding this aircraft type was not determined during the investigation.