What happened
On June 16, 2007, at 15:50, a Synairgie Sky Ranger ultralight, identified as 82-FX, was performing a flight from the Caudecoste ultralight platform. Shortly after rotation on runway 11, witnesses observed the aircraft pitch up aggressively, maintaining a steep climb angle. At an altitude of approximately 30 meters, the aircraft banked sharply to the left and struck the roof of a building located near the threshold of runway 29. The pilot sustained slight injuries, but the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's recent experience and the specific configuration of the aircraft. The pilot had recently purchased the aircraft and had only 55 total flight hours, with very limited recent experience on this specific model. While the pilot had previously flown a similar ultralight, that aircraft featured a Y-shaped central joystick and a left-side throttle. In contrast, the 82-FX was equipped with dual controls and a centrally located throttle.
During the takeoff, the pilot noted a longer-than-usual ground roll. Upon reaching the manufacturer-recommended speed of 80-90 km/h, the pilot applied back pressure on the control column with the left hand. Feeling the aircraft was "heavy," the pilot increased the pitch input. The investigation established that the pilot failed to reduce the pitch input once airborne, leading to a loss of airspeed and an eventual stall.
Findings
- The pilot failed to sufficiently account for the effects of a tailwind during the takeoff roll.
- There was an inappropriate application of elevator control (pitching up too aggressively).
- The pilot was distracted by the ergonomic differences between his previous aircraft and the current model, specifically the difficulty of managing the controls while using the left hand for the stick and the right hand for the throttle.