What happened
On July 21, 2013, a pilot conducted a sightseeing flight with a passenger within the Olsztyn-Dajtki (EPOD) controlled airspace. After a successful initial landing on the grass runway, the pilot attempted a Touch-and-Go (T&G) maneuver. During the second landing attempt, the Aeroprakt 22-L-2 struck the ground dynamically on all three wheels, causing the aircraft to bounce to an altitude of approximately one meter. Upon the subsequent touchdown, the aircraft struck the nose wheel and the right main gear while positioned in a right traverse with a tilted right wing and the nose deviated to the left.
Following this impact, the pilot attempted a second go-around but discovered that the rudder could no longer be deflected in either direction. The pilot reported the control issues via radio. An instructor on the ground, observing the event, advised the pilot to remain airborne until the setting sun moved below the treeline to improve visibility. After monitoring the landing gear via binoculars and finding no visible external damage, the pilot performed a final approach. The aircraft landed successfully, and the engine was shut down after the rollout.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft following the bounced landing. Preliminary inspections of the Aeroprakt 22-L-2 revealed that the nose gear strut had bent. This structural deformation caused the steering assembly, which is linked to the nose wheel, to become jammed, thereby preventing rudder movement.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the pilot's decision to continue flight operations during a time of day and under environmental conditions that exceeded their experience and skill level.
- The direct cause was the forced touchdown following the initial bounce and the subsequent attempt to land while the aircraft was in an unstable, asymmetric position.
- A significant contributing factor was the low position of the setting sun, which hindered visibility.
- The presence of gusty, crosswind components originating from the forest edge, creating dangerous rotors, further complicated the flight conditions.