Accident Overview
On 4 September 2022, at approximately 16:00 local time, a Piper PA-28-180 (registration LN-AAC) arrived at Jastarnia Airport (EPJA) with a pilot and three passengers. The pilot planned a flight to Elbląg Airport (EPEL). According to the pilot's statement, a pre-flight inspection was conducted, and the METAR for Pruszcz Gdański Airport (EPPR) was reviewed.
Takeoff and Maneuvers
After engine start and run-up, the aircraft taxied to the threshold of runway 30. During the takeoff roll, the airplane accelerated slowly. It became airborne at approximately three-quarters of the runway length. The pilot maintained a height of about 4 meters at a speed of 55–60 knots, with angles of attack near critical. To avoid trees at the runway end, the pilot executed a left turn into a gap between them.
Stall and Water Landing
During the turn, the aircraft flew over the waters of Puck Bay. As flight parameters remained unchanged, the pilot leveled the aircraft and, to avoid a stall, pushed the control yoke forward. The altitude was low, so the aircraft performed a water landing. It came to rest on a shoal at a depth of about half a meter.
Evacuation and Response
After the water landing, the pilot and passengers evacuated by themselves and safely reached the shore. Witnesses called emergency services. Within minutes, police, ambulance, and fire brigade arrived. The fire brigade secured the scene and retrieved the aircraft to the shore. The pilot was given a breathalyzer test by police, which returned a negative result.
Probable Causes
The investigation identified two causes: 1) continuation of the takeoff roll beyond half the length of the short runway; 2) stalling of the aircraft after a turn at low altitude during the climb attempt after takeoff.
Contributing Factors
Factors that contributed to the occurrence included: the pilot's decision to operate from a difficult airfield with a short runway despite a prohibition; lack of operational preparation; insufficient runway length for a safe takeoff under the prevailing meteorological conditions given the aircraft's high weight and balance; and the pilot's limited experience in operations from grass runways with short length.