What happened
On March 6, 2025, a student pilot training for a PPL(A) license was conducting two solo navigation flights from Szymanów (EPWS) in an AT-3 R100, registration SP-ACN. The flights were being supervised by an instructor who remained at the airfield but at a significant distance from the landing area.
While the first flight was completed successfully, the second flight ended in a series of unsuccessful landing attempts. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced four times. The pilot subsequently entered a second circuit, but the subsequent landing attempt also failed due to repeated bouncing on the runway surface. This sequence of events caused the nose landing gear strut to break, bringing the aircraft to a halt with structural damage. The pilot sustained no injuries. Weather conditions at the time were favorable and did not contribute to the incident. Post-flight testing by police confirmed that neither the student pilot nor the instructor had any alcohol in their systems.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the technical status of the aircraft and the circumstances of the flight. The investigation established that the AT-3 R100 was in sound technical condition and all required airworthiness documentation was up to date. The investigation focused on the pilot's handling of the aircraft during the bouncing sequence and the level of supervision provided by the instructor.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a pilot handling error, specifically the student pilot's incorrect reaction to the aircraft bouncing on the runway (improperly managing the "kangaroo" effect).
- Stress resulting from the initial failed landing attempt contributed to the subsequent error.
- The instructor's distance from the landing area during the flight was a contributing factor to the lack of immediate oversight.