History of Flight
On 30 August 2019, an instructor and a student pilot redeployed the Cessna 172-S, registration SP-COM, from Babice aerodrome to Kikity landing field for continued PPL(A) training. The following day, 31 August, they conducted several flights in the morning and resumed around 15:00 LMT, practicing aerodrome traffic circuits, landings, and emergency situations, particularly engine failure during approach.
During the fourth flight, the instructor intended to demonstrate a climb with the greatest angle of climb. CCTV recordings from the landing field building showed that the climb was significantly steeper than in previous flights. Approximately 22 seconds after takeoff, at about 80 m AGL, the aircraft made a deep roll to the left and entered a dive. The instructor stopped the autorotation and attempted to recover from the dive, but due to low altitude, recovery was not possible. The aircraft collided with the ground, resulting in substantial damage and serious injuries to both crew members.
Injuries to Persons
Both crew members—the instructor and the student pilot—sustained serious injuries. No fatalities or minor injuries occurred.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained multiple structural damages. The engine mount and firewall were deformed, and the engine was displaced forward and downward. The propeller gearbox housing cracked, and multiple instrument and component joints were torn out. The upper and lower engine cowlings were deformed and torn from their hooks. The two-blade metal propeller blades were deformed; the nature of the damage indicated the engine was operating until impact. Significant deformations occurred in the nose and tail sections, particularly on the right side behind the cockpit. The windshield was destroyed, and the left door was completely torn out; the right door remained attached only by the lower hinge. The wings and struts were not destroyed, but skin deformation occurred, especially near the left wingtip. The empennage was damaged mainly on the left side of the tailplane. Control system continuity was preserved. The landing gear was destroyed: the front gear torn off, main gear legs deformed, and the left wheel separated.
Cause of the Accident
The investigation determined that the cause of the accident was bringing the aircraft to stall after take-off during the climb phase.