What happened
On February 20, 2016, at approximately 15:00 local time, a Super Bingo ultralight aircraft crashed into the Wu Creek riverbed in the Wuri District of Taichung. Witnesses observed two ultralight aircraft circling the area; the yellow aircraft, which was the subject of the accident, began making an unusual noise before losing power and descending rapidly. The aircraft flew low over the terrain, eventually disappearing behind tall reeds before striking the ground and overturning. Two occupants, a man and a man, sustained injuries including facial contusions and abrasions, and were subsequently transported away from the scene by vehicle.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft, the operational legality, and the site conditions. The aircraft, an Italian-manufactured Super Bingo (serial number 05.06.52.186) powered by a Rotax 582 engine, was found to lack a valid airworthiness certificate. The investigation revealed that the aircraft had previously been involved in a regulatory violation in 2013.
Physical examination of the wreckage showed significant damage to the landing gear, the nose section, and the wings. Specifically, the right wing was deformed at the root, and the elevator control linkage was broken. The propeller showed impact damage on two of its three blades, indicating that the engine had lost power prior to the impact. The investigation also determined that the flight took place in an unauthorized area, as the crash site was not a designated ultralight activity area, and the aircraft was not operating within any approved airspace.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a loss of engine power during flight, leading to an uncontrolled descent.
- The flight was an illegal ultralight operation, as the aircraft lacked a valid inspection certificate, the operators could not be identified, and the flight occurred outside of approved airspace and authorized landing sites.
- The lack of oversight and the difficulty in policing highly mobile ultralight activities contributed to the continued use of unauthorized landing sites in the region.
Safety action
- The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) is urged to continue promoting inter-agency cooperation to improve the enforcement of regulations and the transition of illegal activities to legal frameworks.
- Local governments in Taichung and Changhua are recommended to take proactive measures to inspect and shut down unauthorized ultralight landing sites and structures to mitigate public safety risks.