Published Final Report of AJ2199 Ultra-light Vehicle Occurrence Investigation
The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB) published the Final Report on the investigation of AJ2199 Ultra-light Vehicle Occurrence.
On January 7, 2021, an AeroJones Association ultra-light vehicle, type Flight Design CTLSi, control number AJ2199, departed from Runway 26 of Jiehao activity field in Gaoshu Township, Pingtung County at about 1420L to perform orientation flying. There were one operator and one occupant aboard. The vehicle lost contact 10 minutes after takeoff and crashed into the mountainous area of Sandimen. The vehicle was completely destroyed and two people on board sustained fatal injuries.
According to the Transportation Occurrence Investigation Act of the Republic of China (ROC), and the content of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB), an independent transportation occurrence investigation agency, was responsible for conducting the investigation. The investigation team also included members from Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) and AeroJones Association.
Conclusion:
- The operator failed to abide by the regulations on the operation of ultra-light vehicles by visual flight and flew under the instrument meteorological conditions, which caused the occurrence.
- The AeroJones Association activities guideline stipulated that operating vehicles must comply with visual meteorological standards, but there were no relevant procedures to prevent operators from flying in violation of regulations.
- AeroJones Association used a radio communication system as a real-time positioning and reporting management mechanism for ultra-light vehicles. This system was a passive monitoring mechanism that needed to be reported by the operator so that ground personnel could obtain information such as the location of the vehicle. If the ultra-light vehicle can be equipped with ADS-B or other remote identification equipment, it will enable ground personnel to receive vehicle identification, position, speed and heading information without relying on the operator. It can greatly increase the control of the vehicle and the airspace conditions, enhance the flight safety, and improve the search and rescue timeliness in the event of an occurrence.
Transportation Safety recommendation
Arising from the conclusions of the investigation, the following safety recommendations are issued to relevant organizations.
To AeroJones Association
- Review the association's operations and training of weather observations and weather information interpretation to strengthen members' awareness of visual meteorological standards.
- Evaluate the mechanism to prevent flight activities that deliberately violate visual meteorological standards, such as control station clearance or weather logging procedures, to ensure that all operators comply with relevant regulations.
To Civil Aeronautics Administration, Taiwan
- Request AeroJones and other activity associations to review the operations and training of weather observations and weather information interpretation to strengthen members' awareness of visual meteorological standards.
- Request AeroJones and other activity associations to evaluate the mechanism to prevent flight activities that deliberately violate visual meteorological standards, such as control station clearance or weather logging procedures, to ensure that all operators comply with relevant regulations.
- Evaluate the use of ADS-B or other remote identification devices as the management mechanism for real-time positioning and reporting of ultra-light vehicles.
(Detailed information please refer to full Final Report)
Full Final Report in Chinese is available for download at https://www.ttsb.gov.tw
Vivi Yang, Executive Officer
Tel: +886-2-7727-6217
E-mail:viviy2314@ttsb.gov.tw