What happened
On 26 August 2023, a pilot and passenger arrived at Tökyl Airfield (LHTL) for a planned 30-minute local pleasure flight. After obtaining weather information and preparing the Aero AT-3R100 (registration HA-NAD), the pilot taxied for departure. During taxiing, the pilot was informed by Tököl Radio that the wind was blowing from 170 degrees at 8 knots and that runway 14 was the recommended runway direction.
Despite this guidance, the pilot elected to take off from runway 32. During the takeoff roll, the pilot utilized a flaps setting of 15 degrees. As the aircraft became airborne, the pilot attempted to accelerate to a target speed of 70 knots; however, the aircraft's nose pitch increased significantly. At an altitude of approximately 10 meters, the aircraft entered a stall. The nose gear struck the ground, causing the aircraft to skid approximately 75 meters before coming to rest on the right side of the runway. There were no injuries to the occupants, but the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
The Hungarian Transportation Safety Bureau (TSB) conducted an investigation involving site inspections, witness interviews, and an examination of flight data and meteorological records. The investigation also included a joint examination with a forensic expert to investigate a reported difficulty with the control stick movement during the climb.
Findings
- The direct cause of the accident was the pilot increasing the aircraft's pitch angle to a critical value following takeoff, which induced the stall.
- A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to follow established procedures and make appropriate decisions based on available information, specifically regarding the choice of runway in relation to the reported wind direction.