What happened
On August 14, 2015, a private pilot was conducting a recreational flight from EPKA to EPOP. At approximately 11:00 LMT, the pilot established communication with the Polska Nowa Wie afterland (EPOP) and requested landing clearance for runway 12.
During the approach, the pilot maintained a speed of approximately 65 knots and deployed the flaps to the 40° landing position. While on the final approach, the pilot was flying too high. As the pilot attempted to adjust the glide path, the KR-030 Topaz, registration SP-SLEM, experienced a sudden loss of altitude. The aircraft touched down primarily on the right main landing gear.
Following the touchdown, the aircraft continued down the runway for several dozen meters before tilting toward the right wing and veering off course. The aircraft eventually came to a stop supported by the right wingtip and the tail skid. The pilot and a passenger evacuated the cabin without sustaining any injuries.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the sequence of the landing flare and the structural integrity of the landing gear. Investigators examined the aircraft's damage, which included a broken right main gear strut and damage to the tail skid. The pilot underwent a sobriety test conducted by the police, which returned a result of 0.00 mg/dm3 of alcohol.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was pilot error involving an incorrect assessment of the aircraft's height during the landing flare.
- The aircraft's sudden drop in altitude during the final phase of the flare resulted in the aircraft landing heavily on the right main gear, causing the strut to fracture.