What happened
On June 11, 2022, at 15:29, a ProFe Banjo MH ultralight aircraft departed from the Sulz am Neckar airfield for a local recreational flight. The aircraft, operated by a shared ownership group, did not return to the airfield as planned. Following an alert from the pilot's spouse, search efforts led to the discovery of the wreckage in a rapeseed field at approximately 19:3 and the confirmation of the pilot's death.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the flight. The aircraft, which was an ultralight motor glider with a retractable engine, was found resting on its back approximately 2 km west-southwest of the airfield. The investigation examined the aircraft's condition, the pilot's experience, and available meteorological data. No radar data from the Bundeswehr or local air traffic service providers were available to track the flight path or the specific sequence of the descent.
Physical examination of the wreckage revealed significant damage, including a destroyed nose and cockpit area, a broken tailplane support, and damage to the right wing and horizontal stabilizer. The engine was in the extended position, and the propeller was found transverse to the engine mount. Notably, the aircraft's emergency parachute system had been deployed, with the chute and lines found near the right wing. The fuel system remained intact, with fuel present in both the tank and the carburetor.
Findings
- The pilot, who held a valid LAPL license, had significant flight experience, with a total of 672 hours, though only 25 hours of experience on the Banjo MH model.
- The cause of the crash remains unexplained, as no eyewitness accounts or flight data were available to reconstruct the final moments of the flight.
- Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were reported as CAVOK (ceiling and visibility OK) with a temperature of 26 °C.
- The pilot's death was attributed to polytrauma.