What happened
On 17 November 2020, a training mission involving a Jetwing jet-powered wing ended in a fatal ground impact near the Jetman Dubai facility in Margham, UAE. The mission was designed to simulate a landing on an 80/00-foot platform. Following a departure from a Bell helicopter, the pilot performed a series of maneuvers, including a low-altitude pass near the facility, before attempting to transition into a hover at 800 feet.
During this hover phase, the aircraft entered a back-leaning attitude that escalated into an abrupt, uncontrolled backward flip. This maneuver sent the aircraft into a steep descent. Although onboard cameras recorded the pilot's efforts to regain control and establish airflow, the aircraft struck the desert terrain approximately 270 meters from the facility. The pilot sustained fatal injuries upon impact.
The investigation
Investigators from the GCAA AAIS examined the aircraft, the flight data, and the operational procedures of Jetman Dubai. The investigation included a review of engine telemetry, weather conditions, and the pilot's professional background. Technical analysis of the two functional engines (No. 3 and No. 4) confirmed they were producing full thrust throughout the flight. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's extensive experience, noting a career spanning 21 years with thousands of jumps and significant contributions to the development of the Jetwing.
Findings
- The Jetwing and its engines were fully functional and serviceable at the time of the accident.
- Weather conditions were stable, with no significant wind gusts or turbulence contributing to the loss of control.
- The pilot was highly experienced and showed no signs of physiological impairment or substance use.
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of control resulting from an unrecoverable back-leaning attitude during the hover, which triggered the backward flip and subsequent descent.
- A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to execute the pre-planned emergency abort by deploying the pyro-rocket emergency parachute.
- The organization's Hazard Analysis Log had not been updated since 2015 and failed to account for specific risks associated with low-altitude hover operations.
- Existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) lacked specific instructions for managing the unique dynamics of hover maneuvers.
Safety action
- The GCAA AAIS recommended the development of new technology to assist pilots by limiting back-leaning attitudes during hover within safe margins.
- It was recommended that the Hazard Analysis Log be revised to include identified risks for all flight phases, specifically hover operations.
- The investigation advised updating Standard Operating Procedures to ensure all newly developed flight maneuvers are formally documented and regulated.