Accident Overview
On 28 June 2021, at approximately 16:00 local time, a Topaz KR030 ultralight aircraft (registration SP-SAKP) departed from the "Wola Krakowiańska 1" airstrip for a recreational flight. The pilot, who was also the owner, was accompanied by a female passenger. The aircraft was recently acquired by the pilot, and this flight was the fifth time the pilot flew this particular aircraft.
Flight and Sequence of Events
Approximately 50 minutes into the flight, the passenger began experiencing symptoms of motion sickness. In response, the pilot decided to return to the departure airstrip and land immediately. During the landing, the aircraft bounced off the runway surface. After the bounce, it dropped onto the nose wheel, causing the nose wheel to detach. The aircraft then struck the ground with its nose and subsequently nosed over.
Damage Assessment
The accident resulted in damage to the propeller, engine cowling, nose landing gear, rear fuselage, vertical stabilizer, leading edge of the left wing, engine components, door, and windshield. The pilot and passenger were able to exit the wreckage unaided and did not sustain serious injuries.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the probable cause of the accident to be pilot error during landing. Contributing factors included the pilot's limited overall experience, limited flight time on the aircraft type, and time pressure resulting from the passenger's motion sickness.