What happened
On August 6, 2022, at approximately 17:44, a Comco Ikarus C42B ultralight aircraft, registration AL2816, crashed into a sandbar in the Liaojia River, located between the Gaoshu and Nanhua Bridges in Pingtung County, Taiwan. The aircraft, operated by the China Airlines Association, departed from the Jiehao activity site at 17:10 carrying two occupants, including a flight instructor.
During the flight, the pilot provided several radio position reports to ground control, indicating the aircraft was over various landmarks at altitudes of approximately 1,000 feet. However, surveillance footage and witness accounts indicate the aircraft was actually flying at much lower altitudes—approximately 120 feet above bridge structures—before descending to roughly 50 feet above the riverbed. Shortly after passing the Gaoshu Bridge, the aircraft was observed flying in a reverse direction at a very low altitude. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft attempt to climb before it struck the ground with a heavy impact, followed by an explosion and fire. Both occupants of the Comco Ikarus C42B were killed in the accident.
The investigation
The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB) conducted an investigation involving wreckage examination, surveillance footage analysis, and witness interviews. Investigators found that the engine was still running at the time of impact, as evidenced by the broken propeller blades and the engine tachometer position. The wreckage showed the aircraft struck the ground in a steep, nose-down attitude, causing the engine to detach and the fuel to ignite.
While the aircraft's maintenance records were up to date and the pilot was found to be sober and properly licensed, the investigation focused on the flight path and altitude. Surveillance cameras confirmed the aircraft was operating outside of its authorized airspace and at dangerously low altitudes. Furthermore, the investigation examined the effectiveness of the association's position reporting system, which relied on manual radio reports from the pilot rather than automated tracking.