What happened
On July 25, 2024, an Aero AT-3 R100 was conducting a flight from Gliwice (EPGL) to Łódź Lublinek (EPLL) as part of an integrated ATPL(A) training program. The flight was being conducted by a student pilot holding a PPL(A) license, under the supervision of the flight training organization's training manager. A passenger was also on board; while this individual was a flight instructor, they were not a crew member for this specific flight and lacked the current ratings required to pilot the single-engine land SEP(L) aircraft type.
The flight proceeded normally until the landing phase at EPLL. Upon touchdown on the runway, the aircraft experienced a series of bounces. This sequence of events resulted in the failure of the nose landing gear strut and significant damage to the propeller blades. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger. The airport fire service responded to the scene and cleared the aircraft from the runway.
The investigation
The investigation established that the aircraft was technically airworthy and all necessary documentation was up to date. Weather conditions at the time of the incident were favorable and did not contribute to the event. The investigation focused on the pilot's handling of the aircraft during the landing phase and the presence of the instructor on board.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a pilot error in technique, specifically an improper reaction to the aircraft's bounce following touchdown.
- The presence of the instructor on board acted as a contributing factor, as it created an expectation of assistance from the instructor.
- The student pilot was unaware that the instructor, acting as a passenger, did not hold the necessary ratings for the aircraft type being flown.
Safety action
Following the investigation, several corrective measures were implemented, including briefing training center personnel on the findings, conducting standardization meetings for instructors regarding landing error correction, and providing refresher training for the pilot involved. Additionally, the Commission recommended that the training organization evaluate the safety implications of combining training flights with the transport of non-crew passengers.