What happened
On July 5, 2003, a PZL M-18B (Dromader), registration SP-FOM, was conducting a local training flight consisting of takeoffs and landings at the Bragança municipal aerodrome. The aircraft, operated by AVITRATA, had been positioned in Portugal to support aerial firefighting efforts for the 2003 season.
During the third landing attempt, the aircraft encountered a strong lateral wind gust while on final approach. The pilot attempted to correct the resulting deviation from the runway centerline; however, the maneuver caused the right wingtip to strike the ground. As the pilot applied the brakes to maintain control, the tail of the aircraft lifted, causing the propeller blades to impact the runway surface. The sudden impact of the propeller caused the engine to stop abruptly. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, exited the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the aircraft's handling characteristics and the pilot's recent experience. The investigation established that the aircraft, a single-engine, low-wing monoplane with conventional landing gear, is highly sensitive to crosswind variations due to its large vertical surface area located far from the center of gravity.
Investigators noted that the pilot held a valid commercial pilot license and was qualified for agricultural work, but had no recent flight experience in this specific aircraft type. The investigation also confirmed that the meteorological conditions, while involving moderate to strong winds and gusts, were within the aircraft's operational limits. The aerodrome's runway dimensions and surface were found to be suitable for the operation.
Findings
- The aircraft's geometry, specifically the large vertical stabilizer, makes it prone to significant yawing motions in crosswinds, which can lead to wingtip strikes if not corrected precisely.
- The low clearance of the propeller blades on this model increases the risk of ground contact during unstable landings.
- The pilot's inadequate correction of the aircraft's lateral deviation following the wind gust was a primary factor.
- The pilot lacked recent experience in the PZL M-18B, which may have contributed to the improper recovery technique during the gust.
- The impact of the propeller blades caused the engine to cease operation and necessitated a full engine inspection and replacement.