Accident to the experimental powered glider ProFe Banjo STX, registration LY-BCD

2023-05-13
A-23/04
Near Panemunė airstrip, Naujakaimis II village, Jurbarkas district, Lithuania

On 13 May 2023 at 13.30 hrs the amateur-built motorized glider ProFe Banjo STX, national and registration marks LY-BCD, piloted by a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania, lost engine power at low altitude shortly after take-off from the runway of the Panemunė airstrip. The pilot attempted to turn around and to return to the airstrip. The glider entered a stall and impacted the ground. The pilot suffered fatal injuries. The glider was destroyed.

The safety investigation revelated that the engine of the motorized glider lost power during climb due to a very poor technical condition. After the loss of engine power at low altitude, the pilot attempted to turn around and to return to the airstrip, although there was a suitable area ahead for an emergency landing, the glider entered a stall and impacted the ground.

Status of safety investigation:
2023-05-13 Notification received
2023-05-13 Started safety investigation
2024-05-30 External consultation
2024-09-30 Safety investigation report
2024-09-30 Letter to the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania concerning the submission of the safety recommendation
2024-12-05 The Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania response to the safety recommendation
2025-02-04 Response to the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania concerning the implementation of the safety recommendation