What happened
On March 18, 2018, at approximately 14:00 local time, a Lockwood Drifter XP-503 ultralight aircraft, registration UL-1-059, was participating in an airshow organized by the Peruvian Air Force along the Costa Verde. During the event, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power, resulting in a decrease in both altitude and airspeed. After the engine ceased operation, the pilot initiated a controlled descent to perform a forced landing on Los Delfines Beach in Mirafable, Lima.
The pilot successfully completed the maneuver on the rocky shoreline. While the pilot sustained no injuries, the aircraft suffered damage during the recovery process when rising tides caused the airframe to strike rocks.
The investigation
The CIAA initiated a field investigation immediately following the occurrence. Because the aircraft's weight was below 2,250 kilograms, formal notification of the event was not required under ICAO Annex 13. The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the airshow and the mechanical failure of the powerplant.
Findings
- The primary cause of the descent was a loss of engine power.
- The pilot successfully executed a controlled forced landing on rocky terrain.
- The aircraft sustained structural damage due to contact with rocks caused by tidal movement during recovery efforts.