What happened
On April 15, 2016, a Czech Sport Aircraft PS-28 Sport Cruiser was performing a flight for the purpose of building flight hours. The pilot, holding a PPL(A) license with approximately 40 flight hours on this specific type, was accompanied by a passenger. Prior to landing at Kętrzyn-Wilamowo Airport (EPKE), the pilot performed a low pass over the airfield to inspect the runway surface and wind conditions.
During the landing sequence on runway 07, the aircraft experienced a series of bounces, often referred to as "kangaroos." The first touchdown occurred past the runway intersection, followed by a second touchdown near the midpoint of the runway. A third, high bounce occurred near the end of the runway, leading to a loss of airspeed and a subsequent steep touchdown on the nose gear. The impact caused the nose gear strut to break and the fork to detach. The force of the impact also damaged the lower engine cowling, the forward fuselage structure, and resulted in a broken propeller blade.
The impact was severe enough to trigger the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). The pilot and passenger were able to exit the aircraft uninjured, though both sustained bruising from their seatbelts. Following the event, the pilot successfully shut down all aircraft systems, closed the fuel valve, and deactivated the ELT.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the operator and maintenance organization, examined the aircraft's landing marks and the physical damage to the airframe. Investigators noted that the tracks left by the wheels and the furrow created by the broken nose gear strut were located approximately 65 to 80 meters before the end of runway 07.