What happened
On July 6, 2025, a Hatz Classic, registration SP-YHW, was scheduled for a flight from EPNT to a landing site in Wola Krakowiańska. During taxiing at the departure aerodrome, the aircraft's left wheel entered a depression in the surface. The resulting loads on the landing gear may have caused a deformation of the left gear strut that was not immediately visible or perceptible to the pilot.
The flight to the destination proceeded normally. The pilot performed a straight-in approach to runway 33 under wind conditions of approximately 160 degrees at 5 knots. The aircraft touched down on two points and decelerated to transition the tailwheel to the ground. As the tailwheel made contact, the pilot applied even braking to both wheels; however, the aircraft began to veer to the right. Despite the pilot's attempts to counteract the deviation by applying opposite rudder and increased braking, the aircraft exited the runway and performed a 360-degree right-hand circle. After coming to a stop, the pilot shut off the magnetos and closed the fuel valve.
Upon exiting the cockpit, the pilot discovered that the left main gear strut was deformed and that the connection between the tailwheel and the rudder horn on the right side had been severed. No other damage, such as brake binding, was identified. The aircraft was subsequently towed to a hangar.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the sequence of events, including the initial taxiing incident at the departure airfield and the subsequent loss of directional control during the landing roll. The investigation focused on the structural integrity of the landing gear and the influence of surface conditions on the aircraft's stability during deceleration.