What happened
On September 11, 2020, at approximately 16:20 UTC, a Cessna 152, registration OK-IKH, was performing a landing at Slaný Airport (LKSN). The pilot initially intended to execute a go-around but subsequently decided to proceed with a full landing.
The aircraft touched down approximately 200 to 250 meters beyond the runway threshold on RWY 07R. During the landing roll, the aircraft maintained excessive speed for the remaining runway length, causing it to overshoot the end of the runway. The aircraft drifted slightly to the left, exiting the runway safety area and crossing a drainage ditch adjacent to a local road. The impact with the ditch caused the nose gear to collapse and the left wing to strike the ground. The aircraft finally came to a stop on the Slaný – Netovice road, rotated approximately 130 degrees, and sustained extensive damage.
The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was uninjured.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the pilot's testimony, witness statements from other pilots present at the airport, and the physical condition of the aircraft. The investigation focused on the aircraft's performance during the landing roll and the pilot's ability to control the engine power.
Technical inspections of the engine and throttle mechanism were conducted. While the pilot reported difficulty pulling the throttle back to idle, investigators found no mechanical evidence of a malfunction in the throttle or the fuel metering unit. The aircraft's technical condition and the prevailing weather conditions—which were clear with light winds—were determined not to have contributed to the accident.
Findings
- The pilot likely changed the decision from a go-around to a full landing during the approach.
- The aircraft's speed during the landing roll was too high for the available runway length.
- The pilot experienced difficulty controlling the throttle, leading to a subjective perception that the throttle could not be moved to the idle position.
- The aircraft veered left during the overshoot, leading to the nose gear failure and wing damage upon impacting the roadside ditch.