What happened
On March 5, 2018, a pilot flew from Halle/Oppin to the Karlstadt-Saupurzel glider airfield in an Ikarus C42 ultralight aircraft. The purpose of the flight was to purchase a Flight Design CT 2K. Upon arrival, the pilot and the seller discussed the purchase agreement, and the seller provided a theoretical briefing on the new aircraft type. The seller then conducted a 15-minute flight in the Flight Design CT 20K to demonstrate the aircraft, during which the pilot sat in the right seat. Before the engine was shut down, the seller set the trim to the neutral position.
Following the transaction, the pilot intended to fly the Flight Design CT 2K solo to Wernigerode. Despite advice from the seller and a flight instructor to undergo practical training first due to the pilot's lack of experience with this specific model, the pilot proceeded with the solo flight. At approximately 14:28, the aircraft departed from runway 09 at Karlstadt-Saupurzel. While the takeoff initially appeared normal to an observer, the aircraft climbed at a very steep angle of up to 45 degrees to an altitude of approximately 100 meters. The aircraft then performed a 180-degree turn, stalled, and impacted the ground, resulting in a post-crash fire.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, the pilot's experience, and the aircraft's configuration. The investigation established that the pilot had 45 total flight hours, all of which were performed in the Ikarus C42. This flight was the pilot's first time operating the Flight Design CT 2K. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history, noting the last annual inspection had occurred in May 2017. The wreckage analysis showed the aircraft struck the ground nearly vertically with the nose, with the impact causing the nose wheel and parts of the fuselage to break away.
Findings
- The pilot sustained fatal injuries due to severe polytrauma from the high-altitude fall.
- The aircraft was destroyed, and the crash caused damage to the surrounding field.
- A significant contributing factor was the pilot's lack of experience with the specific aircraft model, as the pilot had only trained on the Ikarus C42.
- The aircraft's trim had been set to neutral by the seller prior to the solo flight.