What happened
On 2 November 2024, an Aeroprakt A32 Vixxen, registration A6-SKY, departed from Al Jazirah Aviation Club for a recreational flight to Al Ain. The aircraft was operating under visual flight rules with a pilot and one passenger on board. During the flight, while the pilot was documenting a nearby hot air balloon at approximately 1,400 feet, the aircraft's windshield suddenly exploded.
The structural failure of the plexiglass windshield caused a rapid pressure surge within the cockpit, forcing the cabin doors open and creating significant aerodynamic disruption. Debris from the windshield entered the cockpit, causing serious injuries to the pilot and minor injuries to the passenger. Despite the loss of visibility and the intense turbulence caused by the pressure differential, the pilot attempted an emergency descent. The aircraft ultimately crashed in a desert area near Al Wayayah, resulting in the total loss of the aircraft. The pilot sustained multiple fractures and lacerations, while the passenger escaped the wreckage unassisted.
The investigation
Investigators from the GCAA AAIS examined the wreckage and analyzed data retrieved from the aircraft's Dynon SkyView avionics system. The investigation focused on the structural integrity of the cockpit glazing and the sequence of events following the windshield failure. The team also reviewed maintenance records, including the recent 100-hour/annual inspection, and interviewed personnel regarding previously reported aircraft vibrations.
Findings
- The in-flight fracture of the windshield was the direct cause of the accident.
- The windshield was made of plexiglass (PMMA) that lacked UV-protective coating, leaving it vulnerable to degradation from prolonged ultraviolet radiation exposure.
- The pilot had previously noted and verbally reported windshield vibrations to maintenance staff, a concern also captured on video footage.
- The sudden failure caused a cockpit pressure surge that forced the cabin doors open, making stable flight impossible.
- Maintenance documentation for the inspection of the windshield was found to be insufficiently detailed.
Safety action
- The GCAA is encouraged to consider a mandatory one-time inspection for aircraft using plexiglass windows and to provide guidance on covering windows during long-term parking to prevent UV damage.
- The operator is advised to implement a standardized, formal log system to ensure all technical issues and maintenance findings are documented in writing rather than verbally.