What happened
On November 11, 2014, a 55-year-old pilot was operating a Zenair CH601 Zodiak UL, registration OK-QUA 04, on a flight originating from Chojna. During the flight, the pilot traveled toward Myślibórz, where he had previously arranged to fly over a specific residence. After making a 180-degree turn and flying over residential buildings at an extremely low altitude—estimated by witnesses to be between 20 and 50 meters—the pilot attempted a left-hand turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered a steep bank, leading to a wing-over slip and a rapid loss of altitude. The aircraft struck the ground near residential properties, causing an immediate fuel leak and an intense fire that destroyed the aircraft. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the aircraft's technical condition, the pilot's training and medical records, and meteorological data. The investigation found that the aircraft was technically sound, with all maintenance up to date, and that the pilot's qualifications and medical certifications were valid. Investigators also reviewed flight footage found on a USB drive from the aircraft, which revealed a pattern of low-altitude flying. The investigation established that the weather conditions were suitable for flight and did not contribute to the accident. The analysis focused on the flight dynamics during the final turn and the pilot's adherence to altitude regulations.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a pilot error involving a tightening turn with a high bank angle at a low altitude, which induced a wing-over slip and subsequent ground impact.
- The pilot was flying below the minimum required altitude of 150 meters prescribed for the Warsaw FIR.
- The pilot had developed a habit of performing frequent low-altitude flights.
- The aircraft's flight manual explicitly warns against performing maneuvers with bank angles exceeding 60 degrees due to the risk of loss of control.
- The impact caused a fuel system breach, leading to an immediate post-crash fire that prevented bystanders from performing rescue operations.