What happened
On August 16, 2018, a SPACEK SD-1 Minisport TD SE-33 ultralight aircraft crashed near the Nannhausen landing field (EDRN) in Germany. The pilot had prepared the aircraft for flight around 09:30 local time, intending to depart at 10:00. During the initial climb phase, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of power, leading to an uncontrolled flight attitude. The aircraft struck the ground on a field approximately 420 meters beyond the end of runway 24. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The BFU examined the wreckage and the engine components to determine the cause of the power loss. Investigators found that the engine's connecting rod was destroyed and split. Specifically, one steel screw used to secure the connecting rod cap had been ripped from its lightweight alloy threads, while a second screw had suffered a forceful fracture at its cross-section. The investigation also noted that the engine components showed signs of bending, which suggested a potential piston seizure. While the pilot held a valid license for ultralight aircraft, the BFU noted that the takeoff was performed without a flight leader or qualified person present, which was contrary to the airfield's operating permit.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an engine failure during the initial climb.
- A mechanical failure within the engine, specifically the destruction of the connecting rod, caused the sudden loss of thrust.
- The pilot did not execute a straight-ahead emergency landing, which would have been possible given the terrain and the aircraft's low altitude.
- The aircraft likely entered an uncontrolled state due to a wing dip or an attempted turn, which could not be recovered due to the low airspeed and altitude.