What happened
On July 12, 2020, an Aeropro Spol Eurofox Pro ultralight aircraft was performing a cross-country flight from Langenbach to Daun-Senheld. Upon arrival at approximately 11:50 local time, the pilot requested landing clearance and was informed of the active runway 09 and light wind conditions.
During the landing attempt, the aircraft touched down near the halfway marker of the runway. The pilot initially attempted to decelerate the aircraft using braking; however, subsequently decided to execute a go-around. Witnesses observed that after the aircraft lifted off for the second attempt, the angle of attack increased significantly, leading to a left-wing drop. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled flight state and struck the ground approximately 250 meters beyond the runway threshold, where the wreckage subsequently caught fire. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, while the passenger was seriously injured but managed to escape the burning wreckage.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined the aircraft's weight, the pilot's credentials, and the sequence of the flight maneuvers. The investigation found that the aircraft was properly registered and had undergone its most recent annual airworthiness inspection in October 2019. The pilot held a valid license for ultralight aircraft with appropriate medical certification.
Technical examination of the wreckage was significantly hindered by the intensity of the post-impact fire, which had melted several aluminum components. However, the investigation confirmed that all control surfaces remained functional and no technical defects were identified in the aircraft's systems. The investigation also analyzed the aircraft's loading, determining that the takeoff from Langenbach had exceeded the maximum takeoff mass.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the landing occurred too far down the runway, and during the subsequent go-around, the pilot failed to maintain the required airspeed.
- The aircraft was operating in an overweight condition. At takeoff from Langenbach, the mass was approximately 491.25 kg, exceeding the maximum takeoff mass of 472.5 kg by about 18.75 kg. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was still approximately 11.5 kg overweight.
- The pilot's inability to maintain sufficient airspeed during the initial climb phase led to a stall and subsequent loss of control.
- The pilot's potential loss of situational control during the high-workload go-around maneuver contributed to the accident.