What happened
On April 24, 2004, an Air Creation micro light aeroplane, registration OO-915, was involved in an accident in Geesteren during taxiing trials. The pilot, who had recently purchased the aircraft after it had been stationary for seven years, had set up the aircraft behind a farm to perform engine checks. After cleaning the carburetor and refueling, the engine was started using jumper cables from a car because the onboard battery was depleted.
As the pilot attempted to taxi to evaluate engine performance and power availability, the aircraft unexpectedly lifted off the ground after traveling approximately 20 meters. The aircraft entered a steep climb and began flying erratically, oscillating vertically and laterally. An eyewitness observed the aircraft flying dangerously close to a residential house and an equestrian center before it struck the ground with significant force. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft was heavily damaged.
The investigation
Because micro light aeroplanes are not certified under international airworthiness standards, the Dutch Safety Board's investigation was limited to establishing the known facts. The aircraft was a Belgian-registered two-seat "trike" featuring a tubular frame with a metal-constructed delta wing covered in synthetic fabric. The propulsion system consisted of a two-cylinder engine with a propeller located behind the seating area.
Unlike conventional aircraft that use a control stick, a trike is controlled via weight shifting using a horizontal bar. This mechanism is counter-intuitive to traditional pilots: pushing the bar forward causes the nose to pitch up, while pulling it back causes the nose to pitch down. The investigation noted that the pilot had approximately 142 hours of experience in conventional aircraft but had zero hours of experience flying a micro light aeroplane.
Findings
- The pilot was not wearing eyewear, as there had been no initial intention to fly, which hindered his ability to monitor the aircraft and identify a safe landing area.
- The pilot's lack of experience with the weight-shift control system likely contributed to the inability to maintain control of the aircraft once it became airborne.
- The technical airworthiness of the aircraft at the time of the accident could not be determined as the mechanical state was not part of the investigation scope.