Accident Overview
On 16 August 2024 at approximately 17:22 UTC, a motorized hang glider (MZK) registered as OK-OZC09 crashed into a field about 450 meters east-southeast of the threshold of runway 31 at airfield LKSAZO near Sazomín in the Hradec Králové district. The pilot, who was the owner of the aircraft, died from injuries sustained in the accident. The hang glider was destroyed.
Flight History
Earlier that day, the pilot and a witness (also experienced with MZKs) performed maintenance on the aircraft, including relocating the control bar and conducting engine tests and taxiing. According to witness statements, the pilot did not initially plan to fly. During the second engine test and taxi on runway 31, the aircraft became airborne. The pilot continued a stable flight on full power in a left-hand circuit at an altitude of approximately 50–100 meters.
Between the third and fourth turn of the circuit, the flight became unstable in direction, altitude, and speed. The MZK entered a steep descending spiral, brushed through treetops, and impacted the ground with a high pitch and bank angle. The entire flight lasted about two minutes.
Witness Account
The witness, who was at the airfield, described the pilot's pre-flight activities: adjusting control cables, engine testing, and taxi runs. After two engine-related issues (spark plug wire boots popping off), the pilot fixed them and taxied again. To the witness's surprise, the aircraft took off. During the flight, the witness noted the engine sounded normal and at full power, but the climb rate was minimal and speed was unusually high. The aircraft then entered a steep spiral and crashed.
Aircraft Information
The motorized hang glider was constructed from a combination of structural elements and was owned by the pilot. No further details on make or model were provided.
Meteorological Conditions
Weather data from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute and nearby airports (Pardubice and Brno) were included in the investigation but are not summarized here as they were not directly cited in the factual description of the accident.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The MZK was completely destroyed.
Investigation
The investigation was conducted by the Czech Accident Investigation Institute (ÚZPLN) under EU Regulation 996/2010. The final report was issued on 4 March 2025. No safety recommendations were made in the provided excerpt.
The probable cause of the accident was not stated in the available source material.