What happened
On May 28, 2016, a motorized hang-glider, an Air Creation Ixess/arv TANARG 912 with registration YR-5132, was performing a training flight at the "Aerial Club" - Vădeni flight field in Brăila County. The pilot, who was in the process of renewing his ultralight pilot license, had previously completed a flight with an instructor earlier that day. For this second flight, the pilot flew solo, performing a series of laps at an altitude of approximately 100 meters.
As the pilot approached the landing area, he intended to land before the runway threshold to minimize the distance required to taxi to the parking position. The aircraft was aligned with the landing direction at a speed of nearly 90 km/h, but on a glideslope shallower than optimal. In an attempt to manage the descent, the pilot reduced the engine RPM to idle. This action caused the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly. The aircraft subsequently struck the embankment of the DJ 221 B county road, approximately 100 meters from the runway threshold, and rolled over on the road surface. The pilot sustained serious injuries during the impact.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's qualifications, the aircraft's maintenance status, and the operational procedures followed during the flight. Investigators found that the aircraft was properly maintained and held a valid permit to fly. However, the investigation revealed significant regulatory discrepancies regarding the pilot's credentials. The pilot's medical certificate had been expired for over five years, and his motorized ultralight pilot license had been expired for over four years.
Furthermore, the investigation noted that the pilot's practical retraining course had been conducted without a valid medical certificate, which is a requirement for license renewal. The commission also reviewed the flight history, noting a significant gap in the pilot's flight experience, with an interruption from flight lasting several years.