What happened
On February 17, 2013, an Ikarus – C 42 ultralight aircraft departed from Bürstadt airfield for a local flight with two occupants on board. Prior to the flight, the pilot had contacted several nearby airfields to check weather and landing conditions. After being advised against landing at Michelstadt due to cloud cover, the pilot contacted the Eibinger Forstwiesen airfield. Although informed that the field was not approved for ultralight aircraft and was in poor condition, the pilot intended to fly over the site to personally assess the terrain.
At approximately 16:05, the aircraft approached the Eib0inger Forstwiesen airfield from the south at an altitude of between 5 and 15 meters. Approximately 100 meters after passing the airfield's clubhouse, the pilot attempted a go-around. During this maneuver, the aircraft drifted east of the runway and failed to gain sufficient altitude against the rising terrain. In an attempt to avoid trees approximately 15 meters high at the end of the field, the pilot initiated a right turn. This maneuver caused the aircraft to enter an excessive flight attitude, leading it to strike trees and crash into the forest. The aircraft became entangled in branches about 10 meters above the ground before falling and catching fire. Both occupants sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The BFU examined the flight sequence, the aircraft's performance capabilities, and the terrain profile. Investigators analyzed the aircraft's engine specifications, including the Rotax 912 UL engine, and calculated the theoretical climb performance under the specific environmental conditions present at the time of the accident. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's weight and loading, noting the combined weight of the two occupants was approximately 169 kg.
Findings
- The aircraft's climb performance was insufficient to clear the rising terrain during the go-around.
- The pilot's attempt to execute a go-around failed to maintain adequate altitude over the increasing elevation of the terrain.
- The calculation of maximum achievable height during the maneuver did not account for the potential impact of aircraft loading or the use of a higher recommended climb speed, both of which would have further degraded the climb rate.
- The aircraft entered an extreme bank or stall condition while attempting to avoid obstacles, leading to the impact with trees.