What happened
On March 30, 2021, an Evektor EV-97 SportStar Max was conducting a private flight from Sonnen, Germany, to Pilsen, Czech Republic. At approximately 11:05 AM, while flying north near Jandelsbrunn, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled flight attitude. Witnesses observed the aircraft descending on a nearly vertical path, noting that white fragments were breaking away from the airframe. The aircraft subsequently crashed into a marshy forested area, where the wreckage was found in a pond. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The BFU examined the wreckage, the engine, and flight data from a Garmin GPSMap 296 and an iPad. The investigation focused on the state of the aircraft's canopy and the pilot's actions prior to the impact. Physical evidence at the scene, including the distribution of cockpit glazing fragments and the location of the pilot's body approximately 15 meters from the wreckage, indicated that the pilot had been ejected from the aircraft at an altitude of approximately 180 meters. The investigation also reviewed the engine, finding that the damage was consistent with the impact and that the engine was functional prior to the crash. Furthermore, the BFU reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history and manufacturer bulletins regarding canopy security.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an uncontrolled flight attitude and loss of control resulting from the pilot being ejected from the aircraft due to an open canopy during flight.
- The pilot likely attempted to reach forward to close the canopy, which led to the release of the shoulder harness to gain necessary movement. This maneuver caused the aircraft to enter a steep, nose-down flight path and a left turn.
- The aircraft's canopy was not properly secured at the time of the accident.
- A significant contributing factor was the failure to implement the manufacturer's Mandatory Bulletin No. EV97-33a SR R1, which required the installation of a safety hook on the canopy latch to prevent accidental opening. The operator had previously decided not to implement this modification.
- The lack of the safety hook removed a critical safety barrier, as the canopy latch was difficult to visually verify from the pilot's position.