What happened
On June 2, 2019, at approximately 15:10 LMT, a pilot was conducting a series of sightseeing flights from a private airstrip in Chudoba, near Głogówka. After completing four successful flights, the pilot commenced a fifth flight, flying solo.
During the landing phase, the main landing gear of the CTLS, registration D-MAXK, struck tall rapeseed crops growing in an adjacent field. This contact caused a sudden deceleration, which subsequently caused the nose gear to catch on the crop, resulting in a nose-over (capotage) of the aircraft. The impact was partially cushioned by the density of the tall crops.
The pilot exited the aircraft uninjured. Following the hard landing, the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) was activated. The pilot was contacted by local fire services, who were investigating an alert triggered by the ELT. To stop the signal, the pilot manually disassembled the device to remove the battery. The pilot then began moving the aircraft back to a hangar before emergency services arrived on the scene.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the circumstances of the landing and the physical state of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the weather conditions were clear (VMC) with no significant impact on the event. The pilot, who had approximately 280 total flight hours, was tested for alcohol consumption, yielding a negative result. The investigation focused on the flight path and the interaction between the aircraft's landing gear and the surrounding terrain.