Two injured in ultralight aircraft crash in Istria

Two people suffered minor injuries in a light aircraft crash near Vrsar Airport Tuesday morning. 

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It is the second light aircraft accident in Istria in less than a week. Last Thursday, four Austrian nationals were killed when a small plane crashed near Medulin.

The aircraft took off from Vrsar Airport at around 8:30 a.m. Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of about 50 meters, it began to lose power and crashed into a nearby camper van storage area, according to Rajko Tomašić, head of flight operations at Vrsar Airport.

The aircraft was an ultralight gyrocopter, which uses a rotor rather than fixed wings. Tomašić says the aircraft is owned by Jože Janošić, an experienced pilot from Celje.

"He spent the weekend in Vrsar and was heading home this morning. He told me the engine would not develop full power. At about 60 meters above the ground, he tried to turn back, but he didn't have enough height to complete the turn and ended up landing in the camper van depot,” said Tomašić.

The pilot and one passenger were on board. Both sustained minor injuries.

The national agency responsible for investigating air accidents has launched an investigation into the crash.