What happened
On October 25, 2020, a recreational flight involving a Pipistrel Taurus 503, registration SP-STAU, ended in an accident at the Stary Wielisław landing field. The flight, which included a passenger, lasted approximately 45 minutes. During the landing phase, the pilot executed a series of maneuvers, including a third turn at a low altitude and a fourth turn performed as a sideslip.
As the aircraft crossed a road located before the runway threshold, the pilot increased the angle of attack by pulling back on the control stick. This maneuver caused an excessive drop in airspeed, leading to an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft struck the ground approximately 20 meters before the runway threshold, with the right wingtip making initial contact, followed by the forward fuselage. The impact forces caused the tail section to break away. Despite the destruction of the aircraft, the pilot and passenger were able to exit the cabin on their own and sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the flight sequence, aircraft condition, and pilot qualifications. The investigation utilized video footage from a witness's mobile phone, which provided a clear view of the approach. The investigators also reviewed the pilot's credentials and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and that the weather conditions, while experiencing a slight wind shift earlier in the day, were not a contributing factor to the crash.
Findings
- The pilot improperly planned the landing approach, executing maneuvers at insufficient altitude.
- The primary cause of the accident was a pilot error involving the excessive increase in the angle of attack, which resulted in a stall.
- The pilot was operating the aircraft without the necessary legal authorization, as their Czech pilot license did not permit them to operate an aircraft with a Polish registration (SP-STAU) within Poland.
- The aircraft was structurally destroyed and was not repairable following the impact.
- Meteorological conditions were stable and did not contribute to the loss of control.