History of the Flight
On 2 September 2024, a Swiss pilot holding an ATPL(A) license booked a Cessna 172 floatplane at the Aviation Training Centre ATO Biernat S.j. for a flight on 4 September. The pilot, accompanied by an instructor, completed a check flight on 3 September, which included a float landing on Lake Bnińskie and was assessed as satisfactory.
On 4 September, the pilot arrived with a female passenger, filed a flight plan, fueled the aircraft to 150 liters, and performed a pre-flight inspection. After engine start and run-up, the pilot taxied to runway 05 at Żerniki aerodrome (EPZE) and took off to perform several landings on Lake Lednica. During the third landing at approximately 12:23 hrs, the aircraft collided with the water surface with its left float and overturned. Witnesses notified rescue services; the pilot and passenger exited the submerged cockpit unaided and held onto the floats until rescued by firefighters on a nearby beach. Neither occupant sustained injuries.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 172 P (registration SP-RBI, serial number 17275837) held a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and Airworthiness Review Certificate until 11 May 2025. The latest 50-hour maintenance was performed on 8 August 2024, with the airframe at 5,218 hours total time. The Lycoming engine (serial L 34380-36A) had 2,920 hours total time and 919 hours since last overhaul. The McCauley propeller had 1,773 hours total time and 150 hours since overhaul. The Wipaire floats had 1,773 hours total time. The aircraft's mass and center of gravity were within the permissible envelope per the Cessna 172 P Flight Manual.
Pilot Information
The pilot, a 71-year-old Swiss male, held an ATPL(A) license with a Single Engine Piston (Sea) rating valid until 31 July 2025, a Class 2 aero-medical certificate valid until 3 January 2025, and a LAPL valid until 3 January 2026. His total flight experience was 15,900 hours, including 400 hours on floatplanes. In the previous three months, he had logged 45 hours and 66 landings.
Meteorological Conditions
METAR for EPPO aerodrome at 12:30 hrs on 4 September 2024 reported wind from 120° at 14 knots, visibility 10 km or more, temperature 31°C, dew point 12°C, and QNH 1018 hPa. Witnesses in a boat confirmed strong wind gusts. The pilot estimated wind speed at 8–10 knots over the lake, but National Fire Service personnel measured approximately 14 knots at the accident site.
Pilot Actions and Accident Sequence
During the third approach, the pilot aimed for the same landing point as before, with a heading of approximately 155°. The aircraft experienced a sudden strong wind gust from the starboard side during the approach. The pilot was unable to compensate; the right wing rose significantly, causing the aircraft to roll left. As a secondary effect, the nose pitched down. The left float submerged, followed by the left wing tip contacting the water. The aircraft then rolled uncontrollably around vertical and lateral axes, and the right wing struck the water violently, leading to overturning. The crosswind component at the time was approximately 8 knots, and the Cessna 172 P Flight Manual specifies a demonstrated crosswind component of 10 knots at 90°. The safe headwind limit for landing, based on ATO experience, was considered 15 knots.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft was seriously damaged. Damaged or destroyed items included: right wing (with broken-off aileron), float struts (broken and bent), fuselage skin at the cockpit's rear window (cracks), lower engine cowling (dents), left door (dents), and float mounting elements (deformed and dislocated).