What happened
On September 26, 2019, a Piper PA-22, registration D-EIRY, departed from Klatovy Airport (LKKT) for a flight to the same destination. The flight, which included the pilot and one passenger, took place during the transition from civil twilight to darkness.
During the flight, the pilot contacted a civilian via telephone, requesting that the runway lights at Klatovy be manually activated for their arrival. While the aircraft was in transit, the pilot encountered deteriorating meteorological conditions caused by an approaching warm front, which rendered the conditions unsuitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight.
Despite entering airspace that did not meet VFR requirements, the pilot did not divert to an area with better weather. The aircraft subsequently descended into hilly, forested terrain at a low altitude. The aircraft struck trees, crashed into the ground, and a fire broke out at the wreckage site. The aircraft's Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) activated, triggering a search and rescue operation that lasted into the following morning.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined several factors, including the pilot's qualifications, flight planning, and the meteorological environment. Investigators analyzed radar tracks, COSPAS-SARSAT ELT signals, and witness statements from individuals who observed the aircraft at low altitude in darkness. The investigation also looked into the technical state of the Piper PA-22 and the impact of the passenger's presence on the flight. The investigation could not definitively prove or rule out the technical condition of the aircraft as a cause, nor could it determine if the passenger's actions directly interfered with the flight controls.
Findings
- The pilot was not qualified to conduct night flights or flights under IFR conditions.
- No flight plan was submitted for the mission.
- The pilot failed to properly evaluate the weather forecast and the developing weather along the route.
- The pilot did not request standard lighting services from the airport operator, instead relying on a civilian to manually activate lights.
- The pilot failed to divert to a known area of good weather after encountering deteriorating conditions.
- The use of a landing light during the flight likely negatively impacted the pilot's spatial orientation.
- The pilot's decision to fly into terrain at low altitude while under unqualified conditions led to the impact with trees and subsequent fire.
- The passenger's state (heavy intoxication) likely influenced the pilot's initial decision-making and concentration during the critical phases of flight.