What happened
On October 20, 2019, an ultralight Texan Club, registration SP-SDAN, was conducting a VFR flight from Piotrków Trybunalski to Natolin, with a scheduled stop in Konopiska. The flight was operating under visual meteorological conditions with clear skies and light winds.
Upon arriving at the Natolin landing site, the pilot performed three circuits to assess traffic and wind direction. The pilot decided to land on runway 31 and executed a right-hand pattern. During the approach, the pilot flew directly into the sun, which led to a failure in properly planning the landing path. Consequently, the aircraft landed in a field adjacent to the aerodrome.
The aircraft touched down in a field planted with crops. The soft ground caused the nose gear strut to break, and the engine cowlings and propeller blades sustained significant damage. Because the pilot and passenger were wearing seatbelts, they sustained no injuries and were able to exit the cabin unaided.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation confirmed that the pilot held valid medical and flight qualifications, and the aircraft was airworthy with all necessary documentation and insurance in place. The investigation established that weather conditions were appropriate for flight and did not contribute to the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the improper planning of the landing approach, which resulted in an erroneous landing in a field.
- The approach was conducted directly into the sun, which limited visibility and contributed to the pilot's error.
- The green color of the crop field may have further contributed to the pilot'identifying the landing area incorrectly.