What happened
On May 6, 2016, at approximately 16:25 UTC, a RANS S-12 ultralight aircraft was conducting a training flight at the Wr. Neustadt/Ost airfield in Lower Austria. The aircraft, which was occupied by two pilots, was performing circuit patterns under visual flight rules (VFR).
During the initial climb phase, the aircraft entered a spin over the left wing. The aircraft completed at least two full revolutions while in the spin before impacting the ground. The aircraft's emergency recovery parachute failed to deploy during the event. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and two fatalities.
The investigation
The Austrian Federal Safety Investigation Board (SUB) reconstructed the flight sequence using witness statements, radar records from Austro Control, and physical evidence from the wreckage. The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, including a recent modification to the ultralight, and evaluated the crew's experience and the aircraft's weight and balance. Investigators also reviewed technical aspects of the engine, specifically examining the ignition system's wiring, and analyzed the aircraft's loading conditions and the performance of the emergency recovery system.