Incident Overview
On April 11, 2021, an Aero AT-3 R100 with registration SP-TOF was involved in a serious accident at Gliwice Airport (EPGL) in Poland. The aircraft, a two-seat certified plane powered by a BRP-Rotax 912 S2 engine, was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The pilot, a 35-year-old male holding a Private Pilot Licence (Aircraft), had limited experience on the type, with only 18 hours of flight time on the AT-3 R100.
Sequence of Events
The pilot arrived at EPGL for a sightseeing flight and took off in visual meteorological conditions. After approximately one hour of flight, he returned to the airport's Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ). Due to strong crosswinds, the pilot performed three unstable approaches to Runway 08. Video evidence confirmed that all three approaches were unstable. During the third approach, while on final, the aircraft began to roll left and lose heading control.
The pilot decided to abort the landing and increase engine power for a go-around. However, as the aircraft climbed, it experienced increasing bank angle (up to 70 degrees) and a loss of heading to the left. The investigation suggests that propeller torque, induced by the increased power setting, contributed to the loss of control. The aircraft struck the ground with its left wing first, followed by the fuselage, resulting in total destruction of the airframe.
Contributing Factors
The final report identified several key factors: 1. Weather Conditions: Strong crosswinds (14 knots from 170 degrees) with gusts up to 24 knots made maintaining heading difficult on the narrow runway. 2. Pilot Experience: The pilot had limited overall experience (86 hours total) and minimal solo time on the specific aircraft type. 3. Aerodynamic Effects: The application of increased power during the go-around generated significant propeller torque, which exacerbated the loss of directional control. 4. Delayed Reaction: The pilot's response to the initial loss of lateral balance was deemed late.
Outcome
The pilot was wearing a seatbelt and exited the cabin under his own power without sustaining any injuries. The energy of the impact was absorbed by the wing striking the ground first, which helped protect the cockpit area. No fire occurred. The aircraft was written off.