What happened
On June 7, 2015, a Tecnam P2002JF, registration SP-DME, was performing a solo training flight at Łódź Airport (EPLL). The pilot was executing a flight plan for time-building purposes. Due to an ongoing inspection on the concrete runway, the pilot was instructed to either wait for clearance or approach the grass runway. The pilot opted for the grass runway approach.
During the landing, the pilot utilized full flaps. While managing a crosswind, the pilot noted the aircraft drifting to the left immediately after touchdown. In an attempt to correct this, the pilot applied significant right rudder. While this initially corrected the drift, the aircraft then experienced a sudden, dynamic swing to the right. The pilot's attempt to brake the aircraft further exacerbated the turn, leading to a lateral skid. This resulted in the aircraft tilting to the left and the left wing striking the ground. There were no injuries to the pilot, and no damage was caused to airport infrastructure.
The investigation
The investigation examined the mechanical characteristics of the Tecnam P2002JF and the sequence of pilot inputs. It was noted that the aircraft's nose wheel steering is linked to the rudder pedals, meaning rudder input simultaneously turns the nose wheel. The investigation also highlighted that the aircraft's center of gravity is positioned close to the main gear, making the nose relatively light.
At the time of touchdown, the high lift generated by the full flaps, combined with the aircraft's low speed, meant there was minimal pressure on the nose wheel. As the aircraft slowed, the nose wheel made contact with the grass runway at an angle due to the previously applied right rudder input. The sudden friction caused the rapid rightward swing.
Findings
- The primary cause was pilot error in flight technique during the landing rollout.
- A significant crosswind component contributed to the initial drift and the need for corrective action.
- The pilot's lack of extensive experience with grass runway operations and the specific handling characteristics of this aircraft type played a role.
- The use of heavy braking during the ground loop intensified the lateral skid and subsequent wing strike.