What happened
On Sunday, January 12, at approximately 14:30, a Cosmos pendulum ultralight, identified as 91-KV, was performing a local flight from Nangis aerodrome. Following takeoff from runway 08, the aircraft entered an extremely steep climb with a significant pitch-up attitude. At an altitude of approximately 40 meters, the aircraft tilted and began to sink, resulting in a violent impact with the ground.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the departure phase. At the time of the accident, meteorological conditions were characterized by a temperature of 3 °C and a light wind of 6 knots from 110°. The pilot, a 39-year-old individual with approximately 30 hours of flight experience, was the sole occupant of the aircraft. The investigation established that the aircraft was destroyed upon impact, and the pilot sustained fatal injuries.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was flight at high angles of attack.
- The aircraft's flight path transitioned from an excessive pitch-up to a loss of lift, leading to the fatal descent.