History of Flight
On the morning of 2 November 2024, a privately-owned Aeroprakt A-32 Vixxen light sport aircraft, registration A6-SKY, departed from Al Jazirah Aviation Club in Ras Al Khaimah for a recreational flight to Emirates Falcons Aviation in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) with a pilot and one passenger onboard. The pilot performed a routine pre-flight inspection and ground engine runs, confirming all systems normal. As Al Jazirah Airport did not provide weather information, the pilot reviewed METAR for Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and established communication with another Aeroprakt A-32 Vixxen (A6-HPY) scheduled on the same route.
At 06:18 local time, the aircraft lined up on runway 10. Takeoff was smooth, and shortly after departure, the aircraft transitioned from the Al Jazirah ground broadcast zone to the Mandatory Broadcast Zone North airspace. The autopilot was engaged, and the pilot captured video footage of a hot air balloon. While photographing the balloon at a recorded altitude of 1,400 feet, the windshield exploded, causing significant disruption to the aircraft’s aerodynamics. At the time, wind speed was 6 knots and ground speed was 102 knots. Debris from the windshield entered the cockpit, injuring both occupants. The passenger-side windshield detached completely, while the pilot-side portion repeatedly struck the pilot's face, impairing visibility and causing additional facial injuries.
Following the windshield explosion, the cabin airspeed imbalance created internal turbulence, causing both cabin doors to open during flight. Despite facial injuries and reduced visibility, the pilot retained control of the aircraft and assessed the damage. He initiated a search for a suitable emergency landing area in the surrounding desert terrain, characterized by dunes and limited flat terrain.
The pilot aimed to land on a small farm with a flat area. He disengaged the autopilot and manually attempted to control the descent. With full power applied, the aircraft struggled to maintain stability. The pilot maneuvered in a spiraling descent to reach the ground as safely as possible.
Upon impact, the passenger evacuated unassisted, but the pilot remained trapped with his leg pinned beneath debris. A nearby farmer assisted in providing aid as fuel was observed leaking. The trailing aircraft A6-HPY lost visual and radio contact. The passenger used the pilot's phone to call emergency services; his own device was damaged. Due to sandy terrain, ambulances and police vehicles had difficulty reaching the site, but a police vehicle navigated the area and requested an airlift ambulance. Both occupants were transported to Sheikh Khalifa Hospital, Umm Al Quwain.
Injuries to Persons
The pilot sustained severe injuries, including a broken nose, rib fractures, a right leg fracture, and multiple lacerations requiring sutures. The passenger sustained facial lacerations and a hand fracture.
Aircraft Information
The Aeroprakt A-32 Vixxen is a two-seat, high-wing, strut-braced monoplane with a fully enclosed cockpit, non-retractable tricycle landing gear, and steerable nose wheel. It is powered by a Rotax 912 engine and a three-blade ground-adjustable pitch propeller. The aircraft was certified under the LSA category and approved for VFR operations. It was equipped with a Dynon SkyView integrated avionics system including autopilot and navigation. The aircraft was manufactured in 2016, with serial number 009. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had 358.55 total hours since new. The last inspection (100-hour/annual) was on 9 October 2024 at 344.30 hours. The take-off weight on the accident flight was 580 kg, with 83 liters of fuel.
Damage to Aircraft and Property
The aircraft suffered substantial damage due to ground impact forces. The cockpit, propeller blades, engine bay, and nose gear were significantly damaged. The aircraft was considered a total loss. There was no damage to property or environment.