What happened
On August 18, 2019, a pilot conducting a solo flight for flight time building approached runway at Łódź Lublinek Airport (EPLL). Due to turbulent conditions and gusty winds (recorded at 200/12G17), the pilot elected to land using takeoff flap settings and a higher approach speed. During the flare maneuver, a wind gust caused the Tecnam P-20LE (registration SP-FIS) to lift; the pilot responded by pushing the control column forward. This resulted in a dynamic touchdown on the main gear and a bounce on the runway. The pilot reacted with another forward control input, leading to a second dynamic impact on all three wheels and another bounce. The subsequent touchdown involved a nose-down attitude and a heavy impact on the nose gear, which subsequently collapsed. The aircraft came to a stop on the runway with a broken nose gear strut, resulting in damage to the propeller, engine cowlings, and fuselage. The pilot sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the flight sequence, weather conditions, and the pilot's decision-making process. The investigation focused on the impact of the wind gusts on the aircraft's stability and the pilot's corrective actions during the landing phase. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight experience and the operational procedures used during the approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the improper correction of landing errors and the failure to execute a go-around when the landing conditions became unstable.
- Contributing factors included gusty winds with variable directions and a significant crosswind component.
- The excessive approach speed contributed to an elongated flare phase, making the aircraft more susceptible to wind disturbances.