What happened
On June 2, 2018, an AT-3 R100, registration SP-GDL, was involved in an accident during takeoff at Nowy Targ (EPNT) airport. The flight crew had originally planned a flight to Hungary but diverted to Nowy Targ due to deteriorating weather, including heavy rain and hail. After landing, the crew remained at the airfield for approximately three hours while waiting for the weather to improve.
During the subsequent takeoff attempt, the aircraft began its roll on a grass runway that had been heavily saturated by intense rainfall earlier that day. While the aircraft initially lifted off after approximately 300 meters, it failed to accelerate sufficiently to climb. The aircraft continued to fly at a very low altitude, parallel to the rising slope of the runway. As the aircraft reached the end of the runway, the right wing struck a container located near a football field, approximately 650 meters from the runway threshold. The impact caused the aircraft to rotate 180 degrees and come to a halt.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined airport surveillance footage, physical evidence at the scene, and pilot statements. Investigators analyzed the damage to the aircraft's right wing and the impact marks on the container, which included paint transfers and displaced structural elements. The investigation also reviewed the condition of the runway and the aircraft's technical documentation.
While the pilots initially believed the aircraft had struck an electric fence post, physical evidence confirmed the primary impact was with a storage container. Surveillance footage showed water splashing from the wheels during the roll, indicating a wet surface, and noted that the aircraft's speed decreased as it encountered the upward slope of the runway.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to decide to abort the takeoff roll when the aircraft failed to accelerate.
- The aircraft's landing gear encountered high, wet grass, which created significant drag and prevented the aircraft from transitioning into a climb.
- The pilots did not perform a sufficient inspection of the runway surface condition following the heavy rainfall prior to the takeoff attempt.
- The runway surface was saturated, and the upward gradient of the runway end contributed to the loss of airspeed.