What happened
During a solo flight training session for a Light Aircraft Pilot License (LAPL) at Haglan airport, Sweden, a student pilot experienced a sudden loss of altitude during the final approach. The flight followed two previous lessons conducted earlier that day. While performing a planned power-off landing, the pilot initially maintained a stable approach at 80 MPH with the flaps extended to 30 degrees. However, as the aircraft approached the runway threshold, the pilot perceived the plane was below the intended glide slope and applied throttle to increase engine power. This maneuver coincided with a sudden increase in the sink rate, causing the aircraft to descend rapidly.
The aircraft struck the ground approximately 50 meters before the threshold of runway 18. Due to the impact and the soft, waterlogged nature of the terrain, the aircraft tipped forward and came to rest upside down. The student pilot escaped the wreckage without injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's configuration and the pilot's recent flight history. Although the pilot had set the flaps to 30 degrees during the approach, the flaps were found in the retracted position following the accident. The investigation focused on why the flaps moved from the landing configuration to the retracted position during the final moments of the descent.
Findings
SHK determined that the unconscious retraction of the wing flaps was the primary cause of the accident. The investigation noted that the student pilot had performed several touch-and-go landings earlier in the day. During such maneuvers, pilots are trained to retract the flaps and apply full power immediately after touchdown. It is believed that the pilot performed a routine, instinctive movement of the flap handle while applying power to correct the glide slope, inadvertently stripping the aircraft of necessary lift and triggering the rapid descent.