What happened
On 25 May 2023, a Zenair CH 601, registration OK-KUA15, was being operated for a private recreational flight at the Kiełczynek airfield. After performing standard pre-flight inspections and engine tests, the pilot commenced a take-off from the grass runway.
During the take-off roll, the aircraft reached a distance of approximately 270 meters before lifting off. Upon rotation, the aircraft began banking inconsistently from side to side. In an attempt to avoid a lighting pole located near a greenhouse, the pilot executed a slight right turn and pulled back on the control stick. While the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 4 meters, it entered a stall, performed a sudden right turn, and collided with the roof of an outbuilding located near the runway axis.
The collision resulted in the destruction of the aircraft. While the pilot escaped without injury, the passenger sustained serious injuries and required surgical intervention.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined CCTV footage from hangar buildings, witness accounts, and aircraft weighing reports. The investigation focused on the aircraft's performance during the take-off run, the meteorological conditions, and the aircraft's weight and balance.
Investigators analyzed the aircraft's mass, finding that the actual take-off mass was 568 kg, which exceeded the maximum take-off mass (MTOM) of 472.5 kg by 95.5 kg. The investigation also reviewed meteorological data, which indicated conditions favorable for carburetor icing. Additionally, the investigation noted that the pilot's Class 2 aeromedical certificate had expired prior to the accident.