What happened
On October 29, 2022, a student pilot was conducting solo circuit training at Leszno Airport (EPLS). Following a successful first solo circuit, the pilot attempted a second solo landing just before sunset. During the landing phase, the aircraft, a Viper SD-4 Night-VFR with registration SP-DMT, touched down on its main gear but experienced an excessive nose pitch due to the pilot releasing the control column. This caused the aircraft to bounce repeatedly, a phenomenon known as "kangaroo" landings.
While the instructor attempted to provide radio instructions to stabilize the aircraft, the student pilot decided to execute a go-around. During this maneuver, the pilot applied full throttle, retracted flaps from position II to position I, and pitched the nose up sharply. Simultaneously, the pilot applied incorrect rudder input, causing the aircraft to yaw violently to the left. The combination of a high angle of attack and low airspeed led to a stall and the onset of a spin. Due to the low altitude, the aircraft could not recover before striking the ground. The right wing hit the terrain first, followed by a rotation that brought the left wing into contact with the ground, leaving the aircraft 180 degrees from its intended heading.
There were no injuries to the student pilot, who exited the cockpit unassisted. The aircraft sustained significant damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence, cockpit inputs, and environmental conditions. The investigators reviewed instructor statements, airport CCTV footage, and the pilot's subsequent actions. The investigation confirmed that the pilot and instructor had passed breathalyzer tests and that all necessary medical and technical documentation for the aircraft and crew were valid.
Findings
- The primary cause was the student pilot's improper management of the landing bounce, which led to an unstable approach.
- Loss of directional control occurred when the pilot executed an incorrect go-around procedure, inducing a stall and spin.
- The onset of dusk and rapidly fading light contributed to the incident by making it difficult to accurately judge the glide angle, leveling height, and flare technique.