What happened
On July 23, 2008, at approximately 17:25 local time, a 79-year-old pilot departed from the Ruppiner Land airfield on a private flight. The aircraft, an Evektor-Aerotechnik Eurostar EV-97, took off from runway 11 and continued flying in the direction of the takeoff.
Witnesses at the airfield observed the ultralight aircraft flying at a low altitude with visible vertical oscillations. During a maneuver, the aircraft entered a turn and subsequently impacted a rapeseed field in a vertical orientation. The impact caused the aircraft to catch fire. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
The investigation
The BFU examined the wreckage and the flight path using radar data provided by the air traffic service provider. The investigation focused on the condition of the aircraft and the circumstances of the impact.
Physical examination of the Eurostar EV-97 revealed significant damage to the propeller and engine area due to the ground collision and subsequent fire. One propeller blade was sheared off at the root upon impact. The left wing showed diagonal deformation marks along the leading edge and outer sections, while the right wing exhibited impact marks on its leading edge. The fuselage was compressed near the tail attachment point.
Investigators noted that the aircraft's weight and balance were within permissible limits and the annual inspection had been completed in November 2007. No skid marks were observed at the crash site, and the aircraft's emergency recovery system had not been deployed.