Accident Overview
On 25 June 2020, a Grob G 115 (registration OK-GRB, serial number 8055, manufactured in 1988) was involved in an accident at Benešov Airport (LKBE). The aircraft was being used for precision landing training. The pilot, a 32-year-old male holding a valid PPL(A) with SEP land rating, had accumulated 74 hours and 57 minutes total flight time, with 14 hours on type (8 hours solo). On the day of the accident, he was conducting his second solo flight under the supervision of an instructor.
Flight Sequence
According to the instructor, the pilot first completed two flights with the instructor. The first included a demonstration of a touch-and-go landing; the second was a full-stop landing that was shorter but deemed "good." The pilot then performed two solo flights under supervision. During the first solo, the landing was approximately 30 m shorter than planned, but the touch-and-go was executed well. On the second solo, the touchdown occurred about 10 m before the designated point with a slight bounce of up to 0.5 m. The pilot corrected the bounce by adding power and pulling back, but he insufficiently corrected direction with rudder input. The aircraft touched down again at the intended spot but slightly yawed from the runway centerline.
After touchdown, the pilot intended to perform a touch-and-go and applied full power. However, the aircraft was still at low speed, with flaps extended to 40°, and was drifting left. The increased engine torque, combined with the effect of a crosswind, caused the aircraft to veer further left of Runway 06. The instructor instructed "reduce power," but the pilot stated he could not compensate sufficiently with right rudder. The aircraft exited the left edge of the runway and, at a speed of 60–65 kt, struck a hay bale located in the runway strip. The impact caused the aircraft to yaw left and stop. The pilot shut down the engine, closed the fuel valve, and switched off instruments.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot was not injured. The aircraft sustained extensive damage: a crack on the left wing leading edge extending to about 60% of wing depth, both left wing attachment fittings torn out, stall sensor torn, left flap cracked and detached from its hinge, right wing hinges shifted due to deformation, and fuselage torn in the center section and near the tail. The left main landing gear leg collapsed. The manufacturer stated that repair would be uneconomical.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the accident (13:00 UTC), the Automatic Weather Information Service at LKBE reported surface wind 130°/9 kt, visibility above 10 km, scattered clouds, QNH 1021 hPa, and temperature 14°C. No other weather conditions were noted.
Runway and Obstacles
Benešov Airport has an unpaved Runway 06 with dimensions 730 x 60 m. The runway strip is 790 x 110 m, extending 25 m beyond each side of the runway. On the day of the accident, hay was being baled and removed from the area. Hay bales located on the runway strip were scheduled to be removed last. The hay bale struck by the aircraft was within the runway strip.
Probable Cause
The accident investigation determined that the probable cause was the pilot's failure to control the effects of engine torque and crosswind during takeoff.