What happened
On September 19, 2008, a Comco C42 B ultralight aircraft was conducting a flight instructor proficiency check at the Eggersdorf airfield. The flight began with several circuit patterns before the crew announced an intention to fly in the surrounding area. Approximately 20 minutes later, the crew contacted the airfield traffic control to report their return to the circuit, specifically noting an intention to perform a touch-and-go landing.
At approximately 17:36 local time, witnesses observed the aircraft touch down and lift off again. However, while at an altitude of between 20 and 50 meters, the engine noise decreased, and the aircraft suddenly tilted to the right. During this maneuver, the right wing separated from the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground at a longitudinal pitch of approximately 70 degrees with a right sideslip, 150 meters south and 8 meters lateral to the end of runway 06. The impact caused a fire, which was extinguished by local emergency services.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the structural failure and the condition of the aircraft. The investigation established that the aircraft was operating within its weight and balance limits. The investigation also reviewed the maintenance history of the Rotax 912 UL engine and the aircraft's recent inspections, noting that the last annual inspection had been completed in April 2008, and the most recent 100-hour inspection was performed in August 2008.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the separation of the right wing during the landing maneuver.
- Both occupants, a 67-year-old pilot and a 68-year-old instructor, sustained fatal injuries.
- The aircraft, a Comco C42 B, was destroyed in the crash.
- Weather conditions at the time were ideal, characterized by stable high-pressure weather with visibility exceeding 10 kilometers and light winds.