Factual Information
On April 20, 2019, at 10:11 local time (07:11 UTC), a ZODIAC CH 601 aircraft, registered LZ-ASN, was involved in an accident during a demonstration flight over the stadium of Orizari village, Plovdiv District, Bulgaria. The flight was part of the opening of a radio-controlled drones competition. The aircraft had departed from the non-certified Belozem airfield at 09:50 local time, with a planned return to the same airfield. On board were the pilot-in-command (PIC), who was also the aircraft owner, and a passenger under 18 years of age. Unofficial information indicated the passenger had pilot training and had flown the aircraft previously. The PIC occupied the right seat, while the passenger sat in the left seat, typically the pilot's position.
Flight History
Earlier on the same day, the PIC arrived at Belozem airfield and performed a local flight. After landing, he took the passenger on board. No records of pre-flight preparation were found in the aircraft's technical documentation. The aircraft then flew to the stadium in Orizari for the planned demonstration. The aircraft was to be used as a prize for the winner of the competition, with a free flight offered. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation Administration had not been notified of the event.
Accident Sequence
Witnesses reported that the aircraft flew horizontally over the stadium at an altitude of about 10 meters. As it began to climb, the left wing detached from the fuselage. The aircraft rotated left around its longitudinal axis, continued for approximately 100 meters, struck trees, and came to rest on the right bank of the Maritza River. Upon impact, both the PIC and passenger died, and the aircraft was completely destroyed. The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder.
Cause
The investigation commission determined that the probable cause was excessive operational overload resulting from a breach of aircraft piloting technology at a balance near the maximum rear limit, combined with a breach of rules regarding safe altitude and flight over settlements.