Two fatalities in ultralight aircraft spin accident near Spenge

Casualties unknown • Spenge, DE

An Evektor Eurostar EV97 ultralight aircraft entered an unrecoverable spin following a high angle of attack, resulting in two fatalities.

What happened

On April 11, 2010, an Evektor Eurostar EV97 ultralight aircraft departed from the Oerlinghausen special landing field for a local sightseeing flight. The aircraft was occupied by the pilot and one passenger, intending to fly toward their shared residence near Spenge.

At approximately 12:54 p.m., witnesses observed the aircraft flying at a low altitude near the village of Häger. The aircraft was seen flying in an arc with a high angle of attack before it subsequently stalled and entered a spin. The aircraft began rotating around its axis, and the pilot was unable to recover from the descending, spinning motion. The aircraft struck a pasture, where it caught fire upon impact.

The investigation

The BFU investigation examined the aircraft's condition, the pilot's credentials, and the loading configuration. The aircraft, a 2001 model, was part of a club's fleet. Investigators analyzed the wreckage, noting that the cockpit and fuselage were destroyed by fire. While the aircraft was equipped with a rocket-deployed ballistic parachute system, evidence indicated the system was triggered by the impact with the ground rather than by manual activation during flight.

Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's weight and balance. The empty weight was approximately 304.1 kg, and the combined weight of the two occupants was approximately 190 kg. Additional baggage weighing about 7 kg was recovered. The investigation also looked into the aircraft's trim system, noting that the installed trim was not compliant with specific regulatory requirements.

Findings

  • The aircraft was overloaded, exceeding its maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) even before accounting for fuel.
  • The aircraft's center of gravity was outside the permissible range, specifically shifted toward the rear.
  • The combination of excessive weight and an aft center of gravity increased the aircraft's susceptibility to spinning.
  • The accident was caused by the aircraft's speed dropping below the minimum flight speed during a high angle of attack maneuver, leading to a stall and subsequent unrecoverable spin.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the aircraft flying at a high angle of attack, which led to a loss of airspeed below the minimum threshold. This induced a stall and a spin that the pilot could not recover from, a condition exacerbated by an overloaded weight and an aft center of gravity.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2010-04-11 Evektor Aerotechnik a.s./ Eurostar EV97 accident near Spenge, DE?

An Evektor Eurostar EV97 ultralight aircraft entered an unrecoverable spin following a high angle of attack, resulting in two fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2010-04-11 involved a Evektor Aerotechnik a.s./ Eurostar EV97, at Spenge, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the aircraft flying at a high angle of attack, which led to a loss of airspeed below the minimum threshold. This induced a stall and a spin that the pilot could not recover from, a condition exacerbated by an overloaded weight and an aft center of gravity.

Loading the flight search…