What happened
On February 25, 2019, a pilot was conducting flight training to build hours toward a commercial pilot license using a SportStar RTC. After completing several successful landings on runway 26, the pilot decided to land in the opposite direction to avoid the glare of the setting sun. During this final approach, the pilot opted to land halfway down the runway near a hangar to minimize taxiing distance.
The approach was performed using 50 degrees of flaps at a speed of 60–65 knots, which was higher than the recommended range of 49–57 knots. The aircraft touched down approximately 170 meters before the end of the runway and 233 meters before a 1.5-meter-deep ditch located at the airfield boundary. Unable to stop the aircraft before the end of the paved surface, the pilot attempted a right turn to avoid the ditch. During this maneuver, the aircraft crossed a road at the edge of the airfield, causing the nose gear to collapse and the propeller to strike the ground. The left wingtip subsequently struck the ditch, and the aircraft came to a stop perpendicular to the runway.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight parameters, the pilot's decision-making regarding the landing direction and touchdown point, and the aircraft's performance during the landing roll. The inquiry established the sequence of events leading from the high-speed approach to the structural failure of the landing gear.
Findings
- The pilot performed the approach at a speed exceeding the recommended limits.
- The pilot's decision to land halfway down the runway significantly reduced the available stopping distance.
- The primary cause of the accident was improperly planned landing approach, specifically touching down too far down the runway, which prevented the aircraft from stopping before the end of the runway.