Incident Overview
On August 24, 2022, at 12:08 UTC, an Evektor SportStar RTC with registration S5-DNS experienced a runway excursion during a training flight at Edvard Rusjan Maribor Airport (LJMB) in Slovenia. The aircraft, operated by Catacea d.o.o., was conducting private VFR flights under visual meteorological conditions. The pilot, holding a valid Private Pilot Licence (PPL(A)) and Class 2 medical certificate, was performing touch-and-go circuits to maintain flight qualifications.
Sequence of Events
After completing four touch-and-go maneuvers, the pilot requested clearance for a final landing on Runway 32. At 14:06 local time, air traffic control granted landing permission and provided wind information. One minute later, during the landing phase, the aircraft departed the runway surface and came to rest on a grassed area approximately five meters from the runway edge. The pilot exited the aircraft unassisted and sustained no injuries.
Investigation Findings
The Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure investigated the incident, analyzing GPS data, flight records, and weather reports. Meteorological data indicated favorable conditions with winds not exceeding 5 m/s, ruling out weather as a contributing factor. No mechanical defects were found in the aircraft, engine, or control systems.
Probable Cause Analysis
The investigation concluded that the accident resulted from a hard landing caused by an asymmetric approach and excessive vertical speed. This impact broke the nose gear strut, causing the left wingtip to drag on the surface. The resulting friction forced the aircraft to yaw left, leading to the runway excursion. The report identified unsynchronized piloting techniques and inadequate compensation for the crosswind component during the final phase of landing as the primary factors contributing to the loss of control.