Introduction
On 17 October 2014, at approximately 17:50 local time, a Piper PA-46-350P MIRAGE aircraft, registration SP-NSA, operated by a private owner, was involved in an accident during landing at the Krasocin Lipie airstrip (EPKL). The aircraft was substantially damaged, but none of the four occupants (pilot and passengers) were injured.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was a single-engine Piper PA-46-350P MIRAGE, serial number 4636590, manufactured in 2013. It was equipped with a retractable tricycle landing gear and a piston engine. Maximum takeoff weight was 4,340 lb (1,968 kg). The pilot, a 34-year-old male, held a professional pilot license (CPL(A)) with ratings for single-engine piston (SEP(L)), multi-engine piston (MEP(L)), and instrument rating (IR). He had approximately 925 total flight hours, including 122 hours (88 flights) on the PA-46 type. His medical certificate and all required ratings were current.
Flight and Approach
The flight was a service flight from Krasocin Lipie to Pruszcz Gdański (EPPR) and back. The pilot departed Krasocin Lipie at approximately 07:15, arrived in Pruszcz Gdański, and began the return flight at about 16:30. The majority of the return leg was flown under IFR at FL 150. After passing the BAGAP waypoint, the pilot switched to VFR. At 17:47, he contacted FIS Kraków, reporting an altitude of 6,500 ft on QNH 1009 hPa. The information officer informed the pilot of light rain over Krasocin. The pilot then descended, turned left, and proceeded north. At 3,000 ft, he established visual contact with the ground and continued in VMC. As sunset occurred at 17:43, the aircraft owner called the airstrip owner to request the runway lights be turned on; they were activated. The pilot performed a direct approach to runway 13, which he stated was preferred due to terrain obstacles and was flown with a slight tailwind. At 6.2 NM from the threshold, the aircraft was at approximately 2,800 ft descending at 500 ft/min. The final approach (about 2 NM) was flown with landing gear extended, flaps at 36°, speed brakes deployed, propeller at low pitch, and speed around 100 kt.
Landing and Damage
Touchdown occurred with the nose wheel slightly raised, about 480 meters beyond the threshold of the 869-meter marked grass runway (approximately 450 meters from the airstrip boundary fence). After the nose wheel lowered, the pilot began braking. Despite heavy braking, the aircraft decelerated very slowly due to low friction on the rain-wetted grass surface. The wheels were locked, causing the aircraft to skid. In the final phase of the landing roll, the aircraft turned sideways and its right wing moved forward. It then struck a fence and came to rest in a ditch next to state road 786, near the airstrip. The pilot and passengers evacuated unaided. The aircraft sustained significant damage.
Cause
The official cause of the accident was stated as: "Approach to landing at too high speed, touchdown in the middle of the runway length under conditions."