What happened
On September 24, 2022, a Scottish Aviation Bulldog 100 (registration HA-TVA) was performing training flights at Roudnice nad Labem airport. After completing three flight segments, the pilot decided to taxi to the airport's refueling station to replenish the fuel tanks, which were at approximately half capacity.
Following a successful landing on runway 13 left, the pilot taxied the aircraft toward the fuel station. As the aircraft transitioned from an unpaved surface onto a paved area designated for parking, the nose gear strut fractured. This structural failure caused the aircraft's nose to drop abruptly, resulting in the propeller striking the ground and the engine coming to a violent stop. The pilot was uninjured.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the transition between the unpaved and paved surfaces. The investigation reviewed the pilot's flight qualifications, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the physical evidence at the site. The aircraft had undergone its last technical inspection eight hours prior to the event and was found to be in a airworthy condition. The pilot's medical and flight credentials, including SEP(L) qualification, were all valid at the time of the occurrence. Physical examination of the aircraft revealed damage to the propeller blades, the engine cowling, and the exhaust section.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the failure to estimate an appropriate speed when transitioning over the edge of the paved surface.
- The impact with the edge of the pavement caused the nose gear strut to break.
- The subsequent impact of the nose with the ground led to the engine stoppage and secondary damage to the propeller and engine components.