Incident Overview
On 7 February 2020 at 10:56 local time, a privately operated ultralight aircraft, type CTLS with registration OM-M494, experienced a serious incident during landing roll at Milewo airfield (EPMX). The pilot, a 39-year-old male holding a PPL(A) license and a Slovak ultralight permit, was conducting the third of several solo circuit training flights. He had approximately 120 hours total flight time, with only 2 hours and 15 minutes on the CTLS type.
Sequence of Events
After an uneventful pre-flight inspection and engine warm-up, the pilot performed two previous circuits without issues. On the third approach and landing, the aircraft touched down at the beginning of the runway on a heading of 360°. During the landing roll, the pilot attempted to slow the aircraft using the hand-operated hydraulic brake lever. However, the brake did not reduce speed as expected. Reacting habitually from experience with other aircraft where the brake is on the control stick, the pilot inadvertently moved the control stick. This action caused the aircraft to veer left by approximately 30 degrees.
Seeing obstacles ahead, the pilot increased engine power in an attempt to turn the aircraft right toward runway heading 36 and avoid a young orchard. The maneuver was unsuccessful, and the aircraft continued into the orchard, where it came to rest among trees with trunk diameters of 20 to 60 mm.
Damage
The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, cabin glazing, leading edges of both wings, left flap, left and right horizontal stabilizers, main wheel fairings, and fuselage-mounted main landing gear covers.
Findings
The investigation determined that the pilot was properly licensed, his documentation was in order, and he held a valid medical certificate. The aircraft had a valid airworthiness certificate. Weather conditions were not a factor. The main landing gear hydraulic brake system was found to be functional after the event.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the incident was loss of directional control during the landing roll due to the pilot's unfamiliarity with the main landing gear brake operation. Contributing factors included the pilot's low experience on the CTLS type (2 hours 15 minutes) and habits formed from flying other aircraft with a different brake control location.