Accident Details
On 27 December 2017, a Cessna F 185 A (registration SP-MKU) was engaged in glider towing operations at Bielsko-Biała Aleksandrowice airport (EPBA). The aircraft was owned by Systemy Parowe i Innowacyjne Układy Odzysku Ciepła; Pralnia SK; Budowa Linii Technologicznych; Marcin Kucia and operated by Skoki BB Robert Malarczyk. The pilot, a 43-year-old male holding a CPL(A) license with glider towing endorsement and a total flight time of 246 hours, was the sole occupant and sustained no injuries.
Flight Sequence
The first series of tows began at 07:28 UTC using runway 09. After eight landings on runway 09 and one on runway 21 due to wind shift, a two-hour break occurred. A second series of four tows started at 10:33 UTC, using runway 21. The pilot attempted to land into the wind on runway 21 based on windsock indications. During the final approach of the last tow, while flaring, a strong gust lifted the aircraft to about 8 meters and pushed the left wing up, causing a right roll. The pilot added power and initiated a go-around.
On the second approach, the pilot landed on runway 20 (into wind) with flaps at 10°. After touchdown, at a speed of approximately 25–28 knots, a strong gust again lifted the left wing. Despite the pilot pulling the yoke full aft and applying full left aileron, the aircraft veered right, the right wingtip struck the ground, the aircraft nosed over onto the propeller, and came to rest inverted. The pilot shut off the fuel and electrical systems and exited the cockpit unharmed.
Weather and Environmental Factors
The flight was conducted under VFR conditions. Weather forecasts indicated strong and gusty southerly winds (halny wind) increasing with altitude. Synoptic data from Bielsko-Biała station showed the wind shifting from easterly at 5–6 m/s before 09:00 to southerly at 12 m/s with gusts up to 27 m/s around the time of the accident (11:00–12:00 UTC). The airport lies north of the Beskid Śląski mountains, and with southerly winds, rotor (vertical air vortex) activity was present over the airport. The investigation determined that at the touchdown point, a rotor caused the left wing to be lifted, leading to the loss of control.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna F 185 A is a single-engine, high-wing, all-metal aircraft with fixed tailwheel landing gear. It was manufactured in 1975 and powered by a Continental IO-520-D engine driving a three-blade McCauley propeller. The aircraft was equipped with a glider tow hook attached to the tailwheel strut, which prevented installation of the tailwheel lock. The Pilot's Operating Handbook did not specify crosswind limits. Damage included the fuselage, main landing gear, vertical stabilizer and rudder, both wings with struts, engine mount, and propeller. The engine required inspection after a sudden stoppage.
Investigation Findings
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) analyzed surveillance camera footage and determined that at both landing attempts, the left wing was lifted at the same location over the airport. The Commission concluded that a rotor (vertical air vortex) was present at that point, which lifted the wing and caused the accident. The lack of a tailwheel lock due to the tow hook installation was noted as a factor complicating directional control during the landing roll, but the primary cause was the rotor.