Accident to the experimental aircraft Lancair 360 MKII, registration LY-BRS

2023-04-21
A-23/02
Near Tauragė aerodrome, Tauragė district, Lithuania

On 21 April 2023 at 14.27 hrs, an experimental amateur-built aircraft Lancair 360 MKII, national and registration marks LY-BRS, piloted by a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania, took off from Tauragė aerodrome for a flight to S. Darius and S. Girėnas aerodrome. After taking off and turning around, the pilot performed a low pass over the runway at a very low altitude. After the turn, the aircraft descended and flew over the aerodrome again at a very low altitude. Then the aircraft made an abrupt climb, turned towards the aerodrome and impacted the ground. The pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

The probable cause of the accident was the loss of control of the aircraft and loss of pilot’s orientation in an unusual attitude during a sudden manoeuvre at low altitude, which was not necessary for normal flight. There was neither the time nor the altitude to return to the normal flight attitude.

In accordance with Annex 13 to the International Convention on Civil Aviation, the National Transportation Safety Board of the United States of America (NTSB), representing the State of design and manufacture of the Lancair 360 MKII, appointed an accredited representative to participate in the safety investigation.

In accordance with Article 8 of Regulation (EU) No 996/2010, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has appointed a technical consultant to assist in the safety investigation.

Status of safety investigation:
2023-04-21 Notification received
2023-04-21 Started safety investigation
2024-06-06 External consultation
2024-09-26 Safety investigation report
2024-09-26 Letter to the Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration concerning the submission of the safety recommendations
2024-12-23 Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration response to the safety recommendations
2025-02-04 Response to the Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration concerning the implementation of the safety recommendations