What happened
On July 17, 2019, a student pilot was conducting a solo navigational flight training mission originating from Aleksandrowice Airport (EPBA). The flight plan involved a flight to Rudniki (EPRU) and a return to the departure airfield. The pilot, who had approximately 61 total flight hours and 27 hours on the type, had previously completed the first leg of the flight successfully under instructor supervision.
During the return leg, meteorological conditions shifted. The wind speed increased to approximately 7 m/s, and the direction shifted by 60 degrees to 330°. Upon entering the Aleksandrowice control zone and initiating a right-hand pattern for runway 27, the pilot commenced the landing approach. During the flare phase, a lateral gust from the right caused the Bristell NG5 to increase in altitude. The pilot failed to respond to instructor prompts and released pressure on the control stick. This caused the landing gear to strike the runway surface, leading to a bounce. The aircraft subsequently tilted to the left wing, which struck the runway surface. The impact resulted in the breakage of the right landing gear leg, after which the aircraft spun 270 degrees to the right before coming to a halt.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the operator's internal commission, confirmed that the student pilot held all necessary qualifications, medical certificates, and required flight documents. The aircraft was fully documented and insured. Both the student and the instructor underwent breathalyzer testing, which yielded a result of 0.00 mg/l of alcohol. The investigation examined the impact of the changing wind conditions and the pilot's control inputs during the landing phase.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the incorrect reaction of the student pilot following the aircraft's bounce during landing.
- A sudden wind gust from the right contributed to the aircraft gaining altitude during the flare.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the right landing gear leg, flaps, ailerons, winglets, elevator trim, and the nose gear fork.