What happened
On June 11, 2017, a pilot operating under a PPL(A) license was performing glider towing operations at EPKA. During the sixth flight of the day, while the PZL-104 Wilga was in its takeoff roll, the pilot experienced a sudden and unexpected increase in engine RPM. The engine failed to respond to any movements of the throttle.
Observing that the runway length was nearly exhausted, the pilot deployed the flaps and managed to lift the aircraft into the air. The pilot then performed a circuit and approached the airfield for a second landing attempt. Upon crossing the airfield boundary on the short final approach, the pilot stabilized the aircraft's airspeed in the landing configuration and switched off the engine magnetos. The aircraft landed safely and came to a stop in the middle of the grass runway.
The investigation
Following the incident, the aircraft operator conducted an inspection of the engine. This technical examination revealed physical damage to several engine components, specifically involving the linkage mechanism between the throttle and the carburetor.