What happened
On December 7, 2023, a VL 3 Evolution ultralight aircraft, registration I-B866, crashed in a field near the village of Pěšমানিক, approximately 300 meters north of Pěšice. The flight originated from Letňany (LKVM) as part of a two-aircraft formation. After performing short local flights, the aircraft departed at 12:08 UTC on a heading of approximately 275°.
During the climb, the aircraft encountered deteriorating weather conditions. As the aircraft climbed, it entered cloud cover, leading to a loss of visual contact with the ground. The pilot began performing both horizontal and vertical maneuvers in an attempt to regain visual reference. During this period, the aircraft experienced two dangerous losses of airspeed. At 12:14:20 UTC, the aircraft entered a spin from an altitude of approximately 1,500 ft AGL. Although the pilot attempted to recover the aircraft, the rotation was only stopped too low to the ground to arrest the steep descent, resulting in a fatal impact. The pilot was killed in the crash.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined flight data from the Garmin GDU 460 EFIS, radar and satellite imagery, and witness statements. The investigation also included a technical examination of the wreckage and the engine. Investigators confirmed that the Rotax 912F2 engine was functioning normally throughout the flight and found no evidence of mechanical failure. The aircraft was equipped with a GRS 6SD ballistic parachute system; while the activation handle was found in the released position, the system was not deployed during the accident. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's qualifications, noting that while the pilot held a valid VFR license, they were not qualified for flight in conditions below VMC minimums.