What happened
On June 21, 2003, at 18:30 UTC, an EV97 Eurostar, registration OK-HUR 55, was performing low-altitude maneuvers near Dolní Chřibská, Czech Republic. After departing from the Chřibská ultralight airfield, the pilot flew approximately 800 meters toward the village to perform horizontal turns over a building where family members were watching.
During a right-hand turn with a high bank angle, the aircraft suddenly entered a steep dive and struck the ground. The impact caused the aircraft to break up and catch fire. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained fatal polytrauma and died at the scene. The aircraft was completely destroyed.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation established several critical irregularities regarding the aircraft's airworthiness and the pilot's legal status. The aircraft was being operated without a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, as the owner had not completed the necessary renewal process. Furthermore, the aircraft's takeoff weight was estimated to be at least 496 kg, which exceeded the maximum allowable takeoff weight by at least 46 kg.
Investigators also examined the pilot's medical and legal standing. The pilot was flying with an invalid medical certificate, having self-certified his fitness to fly using an expired authorization. Additionally, toxicological analysis revealed that the pilot had a blood alcohol content of 0.74 g/kg, rendering him unfit to fly.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was improper and careless handling of the aircraft by exceeding its operational limitations.
- The aircraft entered an asymmetric stall during a high-load turn when the airspeed decayed to the stall speed, likely exacerbated by insufficient engine thrust.
- The pilot was operating the aircraft under the influence of alcohol.
- The aircraft was operated in violation of minimum altitude requirements.
- The takeoff weight exceeded the maximum allowable limit by at least 10%.
- The aircraft was being operated without a valid technical inspection/certificate.