What happened
On 9 February 2018, a SkyRunner MK 3.2 powered parachute, registered as N143SR, was conducting a demonstration flight at the Sky Hub Margham facility in Dubai. The aircraft, operated by UAL Incorporated, departed toward the southeast with a pilot and one passenger on board. During the initial climb, the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude and struck a building. The impact resulted in serious injuries to both occupants and caused significant damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
Investigators from the UAE Air Accident Investigation Sector (AAIS) utilized CCTV footage and ground-based video recordings to reconstruct the event. These recordings revealed that the aircraft was operating in crosswind conditions during the takeoff roll. The investigation also examined the aircraft's regulatory status, noting that while the aircraft held a US-issued special airworthiness certificate, it had been imported into the UAE without the necessary airworthiness inspections by the GCAA. Furthermore, the investigation found that the engine, a ROTAX 914 UL (Elite), had undergone modifications to its fuel injection system that potentially voided the manufacturer's warranty.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's lack of experience and proficiency with the specific aircraft type, combined with an attempt to take off during crosswinds that exceeded the manufacturer's specified limitations.
- The pilot had only five hours of unregistered flight time on the SkyRunner MK 3.2.
- The operator, UAL Incorporated, failed to obtain the required flight permissions from the GCAA and did not perform necessary airworthiness reviews for the imported aircraft.
- The operator lacked documented safety policies, risk assessment processes for demonstration flights, and a formal pilot recruitment procedure.
- The aircraft's engine had been modified with an electronic fuel injection system, which may have impacted the validity of its airworthiness certificate.