What happened
On September 16, 2019, an AT-3 aircraft, registration SP-IVO, was engaged in a recreational flight. The flight originated from Rzeszów, with a scheduled refueling stop at Babice. The pilot's intended destination was Płock (EPPL).
Prior to entering the Płock control zone, the pilot attempted to establish radio contact with the airport to obtain landing information but was unsuccessful after several attempts. To determine the wind direction, the pilot performed a low pass over runway 31. Following a right-hand circuit, the pilot proceeded to land on runway 31. During the landing maneuver, the aircraft's nose wheel struck the pavement with excessive force, causing the nose gear strut to detach. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground with the forward fuselage and propeller, eventually coming to a stop on the grass.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and that the takeoff weight was within limits. The investigation found no evidence of mechanical failure or technical malfunctions; the control systems remained intact throughout the event. The pilot was found to be properly licensed, medically fit, and not under the influence of alcohol. The investigation also noted that the pilot had relatively low flight experience, having held their license for only approximately one month prior to the incident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a pilot error during the landing phase.
- The pilot's limited flight experience acted as a contributing factor.
- The impact caused significant damage to the propeller, engine cowling, and the auxiliary fuel tank.