What happened
On August 15, 2021, a Cessna T206H, registration SP-IKE, was performing a local flight from Piła (EPPI) to Kołobrzeg (EPKG) and back. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and five passengers. During the landing phase at EPPI, the pilot attempted to flare the aircraft at a high angle of attack, which led to an excessive loss of airspeed.
The aircraft struck the paved runway surface with its tail cone. This initial impact triggered a series of at least three violent bounces (known as 'kangaroo' effects). During these impacts, the aircraft's nose gear strut was damaged, the propeller struck the ground, and the airframe sustained significant structural deformation. Despite the severe vibrations and visible damage, the pilot continued to taxi the aircraft under its own power to a hangar approximately 2.5 km away. No injuries were reported among the 6 occupants.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation utilized data from the aircraft's Garmin G1000 integrated flight system to reconstruct the flight path and parameters. The investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed the plane was airworthy and properly maintained. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting a very low number of flight hours on this specific type and a low total flight time in the preceding 30 days.
Findings
- The primary cause was pilot error involving improper landing planning and execution, resulting in an uncontrolled, high-speed, multiple-impact landing.
- The aircraft was operating at a weight very close to its maximum allowable landing mass, which increased inertia and increased the stall speed.
- The high landing weight, combined with the high angle of attack, reduced the clearance between the tail and the runway.
- The pilot lacked sufficient experience with the Cessna T206H type and heavier, high-powered single-engine aircraft.
- The pilot failed to take corrective action, such as increasing engine power or managing the pitch, during the subsequent bounces.
- The pilot did not initiate an immediate evacuation or shut down the engine after the aircraft came to a stop.