Nose gear failure during taxi at Nowy Targ airport

Casualties unknown • EPNT, PL

An Aeroprakt A-22 LS sustained significant damage after the nose gear collapsed while taxiing off the runway at EPNT airport.

What happened

On December 6, 2025, a pilot operating a solo flight in the Zakopane region departed from the EPNT airport. After approximately 30 minutes of flight, the pilot returned to the airfield, joined the third turn of the aerodrome traffic pattern, and commenced an approach to runway 30. The landing was performed using large flap settings at an indicated airspeed of approximately 80 km/h, touching down near the displaced threshold of runway 30, which had been shortened due to a NOTAM.

Following the landing roll, the aircraft exited the runway via a taxiway. During this maneuver, the aircraft encountered a rut in the surface, which caused the nose gear strut to break. The impact caused the propeller to strike the ground, and the aircraft came to a sudden stop after the nose rested on the grassy area of the airfield. The pilot was not injured, but the Aeroprakt A-22 LS, registration SP-SABT, sustained damage.

The investigation

The PKBWL examined the circumstances of the landing and the subsequent taxiing maneuver. The investigation focused on the condition of the runway surface and the speed of the aircraft during the exit from the active runway.

Probable cause

The nose gear failure was caused by excessive taxiing speed over ruts in the runway surface, exacerbated by poor pavement conditions due to winter weather.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2025-12-06 Aeroprakt A22 LS accident near EPNT, PL?

An Aeroprakt A-22 LS sustained significant damage after the nose gear collapsed while taxiing off the runway at EPNT airport.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2025-12-06 involved a Aeroprakt A22 LS, registration SP-SABT, operated by Prywatny (Private), at EPNT, PL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The nose gear failure was caused by excessive taxiing speed over ruts in the runway surface, exacerbated by poor pavement conditions due to winter weather.

Investigation report by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL). Original record: https://pkbwl.gov.pl/raporty/2025-0133/. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Panstwowa Komisja Badania Wypadkow Lotniczych (PKBWL), Poland.

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