What happened
On March 10, 2018, a Roland Aircraft Zodiac DX ultralight aircraft crashed near the Bensheim Stadtwiesen glider airfield in Germany. The flight was the third of several scheduled sightseeing tours conducted that day from Worms airfield. During the flight, the pilot occasionally allowed the passenger to take control of the aircraft and had previously demonstrated various stall maneuvers.
While flying at an altitude between 600 and 800 feet, the pilot initiated a right-hand turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft's bank angle increased significantly, causing the nose to drop. The pilot attempted to recover by pulling back on the control stick, but the aircraft entered an uncontrolled spin. Despite a final attempt to recover using opposite aileron and elevator input just before impact, the aircraft struck a plowed field. The impact resulted in two fatalities.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined onboard video footage, radar data, and the aircraft's maintenance history. Investigators reviewed the pilot's training records, noting he had approximately 72 hours of total flight time. The investigation also focused on the aircraft's engine, which had undergone an overhaul by a facility not certified by Rotax, and the presence of non-standard parts. Additionally, the BFU examined the weather conditions, which included recent rainfall and low cloud ceilings.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an uncontrolled flight attitude that the pilot was unable to recover from.
- The pilot's limited flight experience contributed to the inability to manage the aircraft during the spin.
- Flying with rain-wet wings at a low altitude was a contributing factor, as the moisture likely altered the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft.
- The pilot had previously performed unauthorized landings and had misrepresented his level of experience to passengers.