Incident Overview
On 19 July 2011 at 11:07 UTC, an EV-97 Eurostar ultralight aircraft, registration OK-GUR 22, crashed in a wooded area approximately 0.5 km east of Osek, Czech Republic. The aircraft was operated by a private owner and was being used for a training flight from Plzeň Líně Airport (LKLN). The crew consisted of a 43-year-old male instructor and a 40-year-old male student pilot from the Russian Federation. Both occupants sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was completely destroyed.
The accident was reported by witnesses via emergency call 112 and to the Police of the Czech Republic. An investigation commission from the Czech Accident Investigation Institute (ÚZPLN) arrived on site the same day.
Flight Crew
The instructor held a pilot license issued by the Czech Light Aircraft Association (LAA ČR) on 3 June 2008, valid until 2012. His qualifications included ultralight airplane (ULL) pilot, instructor, VFR-rated, and tow pilot. He had a total flight time of 349 hours 19 minutes, including 126 hours 34 minutes as an instructor. His last medical examination for a second-class medical certificate was on 27 April 2010, with a result of "Fit." He resided in Osek.
The student pilot was a foreign national with no previous flight experience. He began theoretical training on 15 July 2011 and practical training on 16 July 2011. By the accident date, he had completed 14 hours of theoretical instruction and 9 training flights totaling 3 hours 40 minutes, all with the same instructor.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was an EV-97 Eurostar, a single-engine, two-seat, low-wing monoplane with all-metal construction. It was manufactured in 2001 by Evektor – Aerotechnik a.s., with serial number 2001 1015. The aircraft had a valid technical permit until 15 May 2013 and a total airframe time of 3,003 hours. It was equipped with a Rotax 912 UL engine and a Woodcomp SR 200 propeller. No ballistic recovery system was installed.
At takeoff, the aircraft carried approximately 40 liters (30 kg) of fuel. The empty weight was 294 kg, and the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) was 450 kg. Based on estimated crew weights (instructor ~75 kg, student ~85 kg) and fuel, the aircraft was calculated to be overloaded by about 8% of MTOM at takeoff.
Meteorological Conditions
According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, a weak low-pressure area affected the region. Surface wind was from 090° to 150° at 6 to 12 knots. Visibility was good, with few cumulus clouds at 2,700 to 3,500 feet. No turbulence was reported. Temperature at 2,000 feet was +13°C.
Accident Sequence
According to witness statements, the aircraft was observed maneuvering near Osek. It performed a steep climb in a left turn, during which it lost speed and likely entered a spin. The instructor recovered the spin into a steep descent, but insufficient altitude prevented a full recovery. The aircraft struck trees and terrain in a small forest between Osek and Volduchy. The impact occurred under a steep nose-down attitude.
The flight had departed LKLN at 07:11 UTC. The planned training sortie was to practice taxiing at Tchořovice (Blatná). The pilot had reported entering the vicinity of Svojkovice on the Rokycany AFIS frequency.