2013 Evektor Eurostar EV 97 SL accident at Koblenz-Winningen

Overview and flight details On 17 October 2013, an Evektor Aerotechnik Eurostar EV 97 SL ultralight aircraft crashed near Koblenz-Winningen, Germany, killing the pilot and passenger. The aircraft was destroyed, and a garden shed and surrounding land were damaged. The pilot had departed from Worms for Marl at 09:13 local time and landed at 10:52. After refueling, the return flight began at 15:06. During the return leg, the pilot made a precautionary landing at Koblenz-Winningen at 16:15. Witnesses reported an unusually low engine sound, and the pilot said he had noticed a loss of power and wanted an oil check. No engine fault was found during the oil check, and possible carburetor icing was discussed. The aircraft departed again at 16:43. ## Accident sequence Witnesses described the takeoff roll as relatively slow and the engine sound as rough. After takeoff from runway 24, the aircraft was about 200 feet above the ground at the end of the runway when the pilot reported power problems over radio. The aircraft then rolled over its right wing and crashed almost vertically into a small garden plot beside the airfield. The pilot and passenger died from impact injuries, and the aircraft burned after impact. ## Aircraft and maintenance The aircraft was a two-seat, aerodynamically controlled ultralight in metal construction, built in 2010, with a Rotax 912 UL engine and a BRS-6-1050 ballistic recovery system. It had a total time of 740 hours. The last 100-hour inspection was on 12 June 2013, and the last annual inspection was on 22 March 2013. A propeller was replaced on 16 April 2013. After the annual inspection, about 120 hours were flown. After the precautionary landing, an oil level check was performed, and the pilot worked on the pitot tube because of an unreliable airspeed indication. No further workshop order was placed. ## Meteorological and site information At the time of the accident, Koblenz-Winningen reported visual meteorological conditions. The wind was from 240° at 12 knots, gusting to 25 knots, with visibility over 10 km in showers, a temperature of 12.1°C, pressure of 1016 hPa, and a cloud base at 2,500 feet. Witnesses reported drizzle at takeoff. The accident site was in a small garden plot about 400 meters northwest of the airfield and 20 meters north of road L 125. The fuselage burned except for the tail boom, and both wings were crumpled near the leading edge. The ballistic recovery parachute was found deployed in its pack north of the wreckage, with burned lines and canopy base; the rocket motor lay about 10 meters from the fuselage. The engine was destroyed by fire and heat, and aluminum parts and the ignition system were melted. The engine manufacturer said further examination was not possible because of the degree of destruction.