What happened
On May 29, 2011, an Aeropro Eurofox ultralight aircraft departed from runway 27 at Tannheim airfield (EDMT) for a series of circuit patterns. The pilot had initially completed five circuits accompanied by a flight instructor before commencing a solo flight under the instructor's supervision. During the fifth circuit, the pilot reported being in the base leg of the pattern, with no other aircraft present in the circuit at that time.
As the aircraft transitioned into the final approach, the air traffic controller observed the aircraft performing two right-hand turns at an altitude of only 30 to 50 meters. During the final turn, the aircraft stalled and impacted a field almost vertically at approximately 16:02 local time. The impact resulted in the fatal injury of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the flight path, the condition of the aircraft, and the pilot's medical status. Investigators examined the wreckage, noting that the forward section of the fuselage, including the engine and cockpit, had sustained heavy compression. The rear section of the fuselage remained visually intact. No evidence of a runway excursion or technical malfunction was found, as the aircraft struck an agricultural field. The investigation also included a review of the pilot's medical history and a toxicological analysis of the deceased.
Findings
- The aircraft was in good technical condition, with no mechanical failures identified.
- Meteorological conditions were favorable, with visibility exceeding 10 km and light winds.
- The pilot had a total flight experience of approximately 172 hours.
- A toxicological examination of the pilot revealed a CO-hemoglobin concentration of 15%, though alcohol levels were negative.