Accident to the Evektor Aerotechnik Team Eurostar EV 97 identified 59CVF on 31/07/2015 at Berck-sur-Mer (Pas de Calais)
Ouverture intempestive de la verrière lors du décollage, perte de contrôle, collision avec le sol
Cat. 2 investigation report: simplified-format report, adapted to the circumstances of the occurrence and the investigation stakes.
The pilot, alone on board, took off from runway 24 at Berck-sur-Mer aerodrome for a local flight. Witnesses on the ground stated that after rotation, they had seen the microlight’s canopy open. Following variations in attitude from nose-down to nose-up, the microlight stabilised in level flight. It then started a turn to the left and its left bank angle increased. The pilot lost control of the microlight which collided with the ground 710 m from the threshold of runway 24 and 190 m to the left of the runway centreline, opposite the hangars.
The investigation was able to establish that the canopy had not been locked or had only been partially locked before take-off. Once the canopy was open, the pilot had not been able to maintain control of the microlight.