Landing gear damage during ultralight aircraft landing near Lubin

Casualties unknown • Niemstów / Lubin, PL

A RANS S-6 ES ultralight aircraft sustained damage to its nose gear and propeller after encountering a furrow in a field during landing near Niemstów.

What happened

On August 19, 2020, a pilot arrived at Lubin Airport (EPLU) with the intention of performing a flight that included landing in an improvised field area. The pilot had previously inspected the site and obtained permission from the landowner to use the terrain. After conducting a pre-flight inspection of the RANS S-6 ES, registration SP-SITP, the pilot departed at 19:17 LMT.

Following the initial departure, the pilot performed a circuit and approached the improvised landing site for a second landing. During the final phase of the landing roll, the aircraft encountered a rut and a depression left by agricultural machinery. The impact caused damage to the nose landing gear strut and the propeller blades. The pilot was uninjured during the event.

The investigation

The PKBWL investigation established that the aircraft was properly registered and maintained in the Civil Aviation Authority's registry. Following the incident, the pilot notified the commission and provided photographic documentation as instructed. A breathalyzer test conducted by the police following the event showed a result of 0.00 m/l.

However, the investigation revealed that the pilot held a flight permit issued by the Czech Republic (Letecká Amatérská Asociace ČR), which did not grant the authority to pilot ultralight aircraft registered in Poland.

Probable cause

The aircraft sustained damage because it struck an agricultural furrow during the landing roll, compounded by the fact that the pilot was not legally authorized to operate Polish-registered ultralight aircraft.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2020-08-19 RANS S-6 ES accident near Niemstów / Lubin, PL?

A RANS S-6 ES ultralight aircraft sustained damage to its nose gear and propeller after encountering a furrow in a field during landing near Niemstów.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2020-08-19 involved a RANS S-6 ES, registration SP-SITP, operated by Osoba bez uprawnień, at Niemstów / Lubin, PL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft sustained damage because it struck an agricultural furrow during the landing roll, compounded by the fact that the pilot was not legally authorized to operate Polish-registered ultralight aircraft.

Investigation report by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL). Original record: https://pkbwl.gov.pl/raporty/2020-2593/. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Panstwowa Komisja Badania Wypadkow Lotniczych (PKBWL), Poland.

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