Fatal Flight Design CT 2K Accident at Karlstadt-Saupurzel

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On 5 March 2018, a Flight Design CT 2K ultralight aircraft crashed near the glider field at Karlstadt-Saupurzel, Germany, resulting in the death of the 51-year-old pilot. The aircraft, a three-axis controlled, braced high-wing composite model built in 2001, was powered by a Rotax 912 ULS engine and had accumulated 943 flight hours. It was equipped with a Magnum HS SP rescue system, which did not deploy. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot sustained fatal injuries from a severe polytrauma. ## Flight Sequence and Pilot Background The pilot, who held a LAPL medical certificate valid until 16 March 2019, had obtained his air sports pilot license on 27 February 2018. His total flight experience was 45 hours, all on the Ikarus C42 model. He traveled from Halle/Oppin with his former flight instructor to purchase the CT 2K. After a 15-minute local flight with the seller, who controlled the aircraft, the pilot declined advice against flying solo due to his lack of experience on the new type. He took off from runway 09 at 14:28 local time. Witnesses reported the aircraft climbed at a steep angle of up to 45 degrees to approximately 100 meters before turning 180 degrees and crashing. ## Investigation Findings and Environmental Conditions The crash site was located 75 meters north of runway 09 in a field. The aircraft impacted the ground nearly vertically with the nose, and the wreckage came to rest on its back. The investigation, conducted by the German Federal Aviation Accident Investigation Office (BFU) under case number BFU18-0219-3X, was closed summarily with a factual presentation only. Weather conditions at the time were visual flight rules, with wind from the east at 5 knots and visibility of approximately 8 kilometers. The report notes that while the license allows flying all aerodynamically controlled ultralight types, pilots are responsible for ensuring adequate familiarity with new models.