What happened
On June 6, 2021, a Cessna 172N, registration SP-KIE, was participating in a flight rally organized by the Warsaw Aero Club. The flight, which began at Weremień airfield, was intended to conclude at the Żernica Wyżna airfield.
During the approach to Żernica Wyżna, the pilot performed a low pass to inspect the airfield. After establishing radio contact and receiving landing clearance, the pilot began a landing approach. However, due to an improperly planned touchdown point, a "go around" command was issued by an instructor on the ground and subsequently repeated by a passenger.
In the process of executing the missed approach, the pilot increased engine power but retracted the flaps immediately. This maneuver, combined with the fact that the carburetor heat remained engaged, resulted in insufficient climb performance. As the aircraft attempted to climb, the left wing struck a tree located at the end of the runway. The impact caused the aircraft to roll left and strike additional trees before crashing to the ground. The impact caused serious injuries to one passenger and minor injuries to the pilot, while the second passenger remained uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the pilot's flight procedures and the aircraft's configuration during the missed approach. Investigators examined the pilot's experience, noting that while qualified, the pilot had very limited experience with the specific aircraft type and landing at hilly airfields. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's mechanical state, specifically the positions of the carburetor heat and flap levers at the time of the accident. Additionally, the commission looked into the organizational aspects of the flight rally and the pilot's flight logging practices.
Findings
- The pilot failed to follow the standard operating procedures for a missed approach as outlined in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH).
- The pilot retracted the flaps too early, which caused a loss of lift that was not compensated for by the increasing airspeed.
- The carburetor heat was left in the "on" position during the climb, which reduced engine power by an estimated 10% to 20%, further hindering the climb rate.
- The decision to execute the go-around was delayed, leaving insufficient altitude to clear the trees.
- The pilot's experience with landing at hilly airfields was minimal.
- The pilot used the runway end as a reference point for altitude, failing to account for the fact that the runway surface rises toward the end of the strip.
- The organizer of the rally did not verify if the participating pilots possessed the specific experience required for the challenging terrain of the flight route.