Overview
On 25 July 2024, a serious incident occurred involving an AERO AT-3 R100 at Łódź Lublinek airport (EPLL). The aircraft was engaged in a training flight from Gliwice (EPGL) under the supervision of the training center manager. The pilot was a student pilot holding a PPL(A) license, undergoing integrated training for an ATPL(A). A passenger was on board who was not a member of the flight crew, though he possessed instructor privileges. However, he did not have a valid SEP(L) class rating or the specific type rating for the AT-3. His purpose was to collect another aircraft from EPLL.
Sequence of Events
The flight proceeded normally until landing. After touchdown on the runway, the aircraft entered a series of bounces (porpoising), which concluded with collapse of the nose landing gear and destruction of the propeller blades. The airport fire brigade removed the damaged aircraft from the runway. Neither the pilot nor the passenger sustained injuries. Weather conditions were suitable and did not contribute to the event. The pilot held all necessary qualifications for the flight. The aircraft was technically serviceable with current documentation.
Cause
The incident was attributed to an error in piloting technique: an improper reaction to the aircraft's bounce after touchdown.
Contributing Factors
Two factors were identified as contributing to the occurrence:
1. The presence of an instructor on board during a training flight led the student pilot to anticipate assistance from the instructor. 2. The student pilot was unaware that the instructor-passenger lacked the required ratings for the aircraft type being flown.