"Smiling Allowed" Final Accident Report, August 12, 2023, F-5

Summary:

Pilot: Christoph Messerli
(a highly experienced F-5 Tiger pilot)

Aircraft: Freewing F-5E
Tiger

Type of accident: Collision

Damage to the aircraft:
Destroyed

Damage to the fir tree: None

At the time of the accident, there were
gusty westerly winds.

A few cumulus clouds were
visible, and the sun was in the southwest.

During the turn toward
the west (Helgisried), the aircraft exhibited
unusual
flight behavior.
As a result, the maneuver ended with the aircraft flying very
low and offset
from the runway axis. At that
point, the collision
with the fir tree was unavoidable
—that is, it could no longer be
prevented. According to witness
statements, it was raining Styrofoam.
According to forensic analysis, the unusual
control behavior was due to
a shift in the center of gravity
(C.G.). Consequently
, the battery had been displaced
into the tall grass during the previous
abrupt aborted takeoff
, a situation that was not
brought under control.

The accident investigator recommends removing
the fir tree at the earliest opportunity
.

The pilot must
take responsibility
for the ejection of
insulation material.

MG-RI Flight Safety
Department