What happened
On July 19, 2019, a student pilot was conducting solo training flights at Piastów Airport (EPRP) in Poland. The pilot, who had recently been cleared for solo operations, was performing a series of maneuvers as part of a training program for ultralight aircraft pilot certification.
At 10:47 LMT, following a sixth flight supervised by an instructor, the pilot performed a landing on grass runway 23. The landing was executed without maintaining a three-point attitude. During the final rollout phase, the front wheel rim failed, which subsequently caused the landing gear strut to break. The resulting impact damaged the propeller blades and caused the engine to stop abruptly.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the aircraft, the pilot's qualifications, and the physical evidence at the scene. Investigators located fragments of the destroyed wheel rim and propeller blades scattered approximately 20 to 40 meters behind the aircraft's final position. Tracks left by the landing gear strut were visible on the grass from the point of the rim failure to the aircraft's stopping point.
Testing confirmed that the pilot and instructor were not under the influence of alcohol. The investigation also verified that the pilot held the necessary medical and training certifications, and that the 3X47 Navigator possessed all required technical documentation and insurance.
Findings
- The landing was performed without maintaining a proper three-point attitude, which may have contributed to the failure.
- The primary cause of the incident was the fatigue-related weakening of the front wheel rim due to previous aircraft operations.
- The structural failure of the rim led to the breakage of the landing gear strut and subsequent damage to the propeller and engine cowling.