What happened
On March 23, 2011, an AT-3 ultralight aircraft was conducting solo circuit training flights at Zamość Airport (EPZA). The pilot, who was undergoing training on this specific aircraft type, had completed several circuits that day. During the fifth circuit, the aircraft approached the runway with flaps set to 40 degrees.
The pilot executed a three-point landing on runway RWY-30. However, after the initial contact with the surface, the aircraft bounced to an altitude of approximately 0.5 meters. In response to this bounce, the pilot moved the control stick away from the body, which caused the aircraft to land on its nose wheel. This resulted in a secondary bounce, often referred to as a "kangaroo without speed," leading to high angles of attack.
In an attempt to recover, the pilot increased engine power. This action caused the aircraft to bank to the left and enter a curved flight path at an altitude of about 2 meters, losing directional control. The aircraft's left landing gear strut struck the ground approximately 25 meters from the left edge of runway RWY-30. The impact destroyed the nose gear strut and the propeller, and the forward fuselage dug into the grass. The aircraft spun to the left, coming to a stop in the opposite direction of its landing heading. The pilot was able to exit the cabin without injuries.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the sequence of the landing and the pilot's control inputs during the bounce. The investigation established that atmospheric conditions were not a contributing factor to the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was pilot error in flight technique, specifically the failure to properly manage the aircraft during a low-speed bounce.
- The pilot's decision to apply increased power during the unstable landing phase contributed to the loss of directional control and the subsequent ground loop.