History of the Flight
On 10 June 2019, a flight instructor and a student pilot arrived at the aerodrome EPMO in Poland to conduct training flights for a Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane). The plan was to practice circuits before the student's solo flight. After a pre-flight briefing and aircraft check, the crew began flying from a concrete runway with direction 081°. Weather conditions included cloud cover up to 3/8 with a base of about 5000 ft, visibility over 10 km, and wind from 120° varying 90° to 150° at up to 13 kt.
The first three circuits and the fourth up to the roundout phase were uneventful. At a height of about 4-5 m and speed of about 65 kt, the student reduced engine RPM to idle and began the roundout. The crew then noticed the aircraft deviating left of the runway centre line. The instructor commanded “to the right.” The instructor later stated that when the left bank seemed excessive and the aircraft unresponsive, he decided to take control and perform a go-around. He pushed the throttle forward, but the aircraft continued with a left bank angle as if the student kept pressing the left rudder pedal. The left wing contacted the grass, followed by an impact.
The aircraft came to rest approximately 90 m from the left edge of the runway on the grassy part of the aerodrome. The instructor opened the cabin fairing, ordered the student to exit, declared “Mayday” via radio, switched off power, and left the cockpit. Emergency services arrived minutes later, covered the aircraft with foam, and disconnected the battery. Both pilots were taken to a hospital and released after examination.
Injuries and Damage
Neither pilot was injured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. Due to its composite structure, the collision damaged the structure in many places, including cracks and delamination of upper and lower fairings of the engine cowling and other components. The first touchdown occurred on the extreme left side of the concrete runway. After a bounce, the aircraft moved left onto the grass. During a left-banked flight, the left wing struck the ground, and the aircraft touched down with a negative pitch angle, breaking the nose landing gear leg. A subsequent bounce broke the right main landing gear leg and damaged the propeller and fuselage structure.
Investigation Findings
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL) analyzed the event. The flight instructor held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Aeroplane). The student was training for PPL(A). No safety recommendations were issued.
Causes of the Accident
PKBWL determined the following causes: 1. The instructor’s late response to the deviation of the airplane from the runway centre line in the final phase of landing. 2. Late decision to abort landing and perform go-around. 3. Incorrect actions during the go-around procedure.