What happened
On October 12, 2006, a Fläming Air FA 01 SMARAGD K ultralight aircraft departed from Reichelsheim airfield for a private pleasure flight. On board were the pilot and one passenger. At approximately 12:33 PM, witnesses traveling on the A 45 autobahn observed the aircraft flying at an altitude of roughly 80 meters. The aircraft was seen performing a turn over the highway, banking to the left and pulling upward, before suddenly banking heavily over the right wing. The aircraft then entered a spin and disappeared into a nearby forest. Shortly thereafter, a smoke cloud was observed.
The aircraft struck the ground in a nearly vertical descent with a high angle of longitudinal pitch. The impact occurred in a wooded area approximately 7 km northeast of Reichelshexim and 70 m west of the A 45. The wreckage was heavily destroyed by fire, with the fuselage almost entirely consumed. The pilot and passenger both sustained fatal injuries due to the impact and the subsequent fire. Although the pilot activated the onboard emergency parachute system, the parachute canopy was found damaged by the fire.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined the aircraft's technical configuration and recent modifications. The Fläming Air FA 01 SMARAGD K had undergone several structural changes, including the installation of a new vertical stabilizer and modifications to the engine mount, main bulkhead, and battery placement. While the vertical stabilizer had received supplementary type approval, the modifications to the engine mount and bulkhead had been inspected but not yet formally approved at the time of the accident.
The investigation also reviewed meteorological conditions, noting that while the weather was generally favorable, there were areas of low clouds and reduced visibility due to mist in the region. Additionally, the BFU reviewed the aircraft's history, noting previous incidents involving the same aircraft model involving spins and parachute deployment failures.
Findings
- The aircraft was flying with approximately 40 liters of fuel remaining in its tanks.
- The investigation identified significant concerns regarding the longitudinal stability of the aircraft type.
- The aircraft had undergone unapproved structural modifications to the engine mount and main bulkhead.