Accident Overview
On August 6, 2022, at approximately 1744 local time, a Comco Ikarus C42B ultralight aircraft, registered as AL2816, crashed in the Ailiao River sandbar between Gaoshu Bridge and Nanhua Bridge in Pingtung County, Taiwan. The aircraft was destroyed by fire, and both occupants, the operator and a passenger, died.
Aircraft and Operator Information
The aircraft, manufactured by Comco Ikarus of Germany, was a fixed-wing, single-engine, high-wing monoplane with a Rotax 912 ULS engine. It had a valid certificate of airworthiness issued by the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA). The operator held a valid instructor certificate for ultralight aircraft and had a total flight time of 545 hours 55 minutes. Toxicology tests found no alcohol or common drugs in the operator's system.
Flight History and Circumstances
The flight departed from the Jiehao activity site in Gaoshu Township at about 1710. The operator reported positions via radio: over the Daluguan Resort at 1720, over Daluguan Elementary School at 1730, and over Nanhua Bridge at 1735–1740 at 1,000 feet. The aircraft was found to have been flying outside the designated ultralight airspace, over the Ailiao River, which is not part of the approved Saijia ultralight airspace. Surveillance video and witness statements indicated that the aircraft was flying at low altitude (approximately 120 feet above the river) and at a low ground speed, suggesting it was not flying in a straight line. The aircraft was last seen at about 50 feet altitude before crashing.
Investigation Findings
The investigation examined the wreckage and found that the engine was likely running at impact, as three propeller blades were broken at the roots and the tachometer needle was not at zero. The aircraft struck the ground in a nose-down attitude, and the engine detached from its mount. Fuel leakage caused a post-crash fire. The weather was good, with visibility of 10 kilometers or more, and no mechanical issues were identified with the aircraft or engine. However, due to insufficient data, the investigation could not determine the probable cause of the accident. The report noted that the operator was flying at a low altitude, which reduces reaction time in case of emergencies, and that the aircraft was operating outside the certified airspace.
Safety Recommendations
The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB) issued recommendations to the China Aviation Association (the operating organization) and the CAA. The recommendations include: (1) urging operators to fly at appropriate altitudes within certified airspace based on aircraft performance and environmental conditions; (2) continuing efforts to evaluate remote identification systems for ultralight aircraft to improve real-time tracking and situational awareness, as previously recommended in a prior accident investigation.