What happened
On October 18, 2013, a student pilot was conducting solo circuit training at Münster Osnabrück International Airport. The flight began following a period of dual instruction with a flight instructor. Due to weather conditions, the planned navigation flight was replaced with local circuit patterns.
After completing four circuits in the company of an instructor, the student pilot was tasked with performing solo circuits, specifically focusing on takeoffs and landings. The takeoff from the grass runway 2/25 initially appeared normal. Witnesses observed the Comco Ikarus C42 B touching down on the first quarter of the grass strip and subsequently lifting off again with the engine at full power.
During the subsequent climb, the aircraft entered an abnormal flight attitude at approximately 10 meters altitude. Witnesses noted a reduction in engine power at roughly 20 meters. The aircraft then entered a steep bank to the left, during which the engine power was reportedly increased. At an altitude of between 30 and 50 meters, the aircraft rolled onto its left wing and struck the ground.
The investigation
The BFU examined the wreckage and analyzed various data sources, including GPS devices, transponder data, and airport surveillance footage. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training records, noting the student had been training for a three-axis ultralight license since March 2013 and had accumulated approximately 23 hours of total flight time.
The wreckage was located approximately 450 meters beyond the threshold of runway 25. The impact caused severe damage to the Comco Ikarus C42 B, including a deformed cockpit, a broken A-pillar, and the engine being torn from its mounts. Due to the significant damage to the mounting points of the aircraft's emergency recovery system, specialized bomb disposal units were required to safely neutralize the system during the recovery process.
Findings
- The student pilot sustained serious injuries.
- The aircraft sustained heavy damage.
- The aircraft entered an abnormal climb and subsequent roll during the takeoff phase of the circuit.
- Witnesses reported a fluctuation in engine power during the critical phase of the climb.