What happened
On September 16, 2017, at approximately 18:00, an Aeroprakt A22 L2 was preparing for a return flight from the Dakowy Suche landing field to Kobylnica. The aircraft was occupied by the pilot and one passenger. Following a standard engine warm-up period of approximately eight minutes, the pilot configured the flaps to a 10-degree takeoff position and commenced the takeoff roll toward the western end of the field at full power.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot attempted to lift the nose wheel. Although the aircraft reached a speed of approximately 80 km/h, it struggled to become airborne. The aircraft subsequently tilted to the right wing and then to the left wing, at which point the landing gear struck a plowed field located behind the runway. This contact caused the right wing and the engine cowling to strike the ground. The crew successfully exited the aircraft and briefly returned to secure the fuel valve and electrical master switch to mitigate fire risks.
Local residents arrived at the scene and assisted in uprighting the aircraft onto its main gear. The impact resulted in significant structural damage, including a broken right wing, a detached nose gear, and damage to the fuselage and vertical stabilizer. No injuries were reported.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the sequence of events, the aircraft's mechanical state, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation considered the impact of the airfield conditions, noting that the grass runway had been subject to recent rainfall, which may have influenced the aircraft's performance.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was pilot error, specifically a lack of proper divided attention during the takeoff phase.
- The pilot initiated rotation at an insufficient airspeed and increased the angle of attack too aggressively.
- This maneuver resulted in an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude and low airspeed, leading to the subsequent impact with the ground.