What happened
On October 8, 2017, a Funk FK12 Comet S1 ultralight, identified as 68ADW, departed from runway 32 at the Nogaro airfield for a flight toward Carcass and Carcassonne. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot initiated a 180-degree turn at a very low altitude, intended as a low-level pass for spectators located near the runway threshold. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered a steep left bank with a high pitch angle. The aircraft subsequently stalled, collided with the ground near an adjacent motor racing circuit, and immediately caught fire.
Emergency responders from the nearby racing circuit arrived within 20 seconds of the impact. While the passenger managed to evacuate the aircraft, they sustained severe burns and passed away approximately twenty days later. The pilot was unable to escape the wreckage and died at the scene. The intensity of the fire was likely exacerbated by the rupture of the fuel tank, which was located within the cabin area.
The investigation
Investigators analyzed the flight path using photographs and videos captured by witnesses on the ground. The reconstruction established that the takeoff was performed without flaps. Immediately after the wheels left the ground, the pilot began a rapid left turn, increasing the bank angle to approximately 50 degrees and reaching a pitch of 20 degrees. The aircraft's horizontal speed decreased from 110 km/h to approximately 80 km/h during the maneuver.
Analysis of the aircraft's performance showed that the angle of attack exceeded the stall threshold of the Funk FK12 Comet S1 approximately three seconds after takeoff. The investigation also noted that the flight manual prohibits maneuvers with bank angles exceeding 60 degrees. The wreckage was heavily damaged by fire, which melted the aluminum control tubes for pitch and roll, though the yaw control remained intact.
Findings
- The pilot attempted a low-altitude demonstration for spectators, which involved a high-bank turn at low altitude.
- The reduction in airspeed combined with the increased angle of attack during the steep turn caused the aircraft to stall.
- The low altitude at the time of the maneuver left no margin for recovery following the stall.
- The pilot's previous military experience and the presence of observers likely contributed to the decision to perform the high-risk maneuver.