What happened
On August 25, 2016, a Yakovlev YAK-11 departed from Speyer Airfield (EDRY) for what was intended to be its first flight following a recent relocation to Germany. The pilot had informed the tower that he intended to perform system checks at approximately 2,000 feet and conduct circuit patterns.
Shortly after takeoff, video evidence from a witness showed the left main landing gear retracting, while the right gear remained extended. During the climb, an exhaust plume was visible beneath the aircraft. As the pilot entered a left-hand turn and notified the tower of his intention to return to the airfield, the aircraft reached its maximum altitude and began to descend.
During this descent, witnesses observed a sudden increase in engine noise accompanied by a black smoke cloud trailing the aircraft. The aircraft entered a left-hand roll into an inverted position, with the longitudinal bank angle steadily increasing until the aircraft entered a nearly vertical dive. Approximately 40 seconds after takeoff, the aircraft impacted the ground southeast of the airfield. The impact resulted in the death of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BFU examined the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the flight. The investigation noted that while the pilot was highly experienced, with over 17,000 total flight hours, he had no prior flight experience in this specific Yakovlev YAK-11. The aircraft was a Czech-built licensed version of the Soviet design, which had undergone restoration in the United States and was brought to Germany via container in December 2015.
The investigation also reviewed engine and propeller components, noting that the engine had been overhauled in 2016. Because the aircraft was not required to carry a Flight Data Recorder or Cockpit Voice Recorder, the investigators relied on witness video, radio communications, and physical wreckage analysis. The cockpit area was so severely destroyed by the impact and subsequent fire that instrument settings and switch positions could not be determined.