What happened
On October 7, 2022, at 18:26 local time, a Savage Shock Cub, registration OM-M037, was involved in a serious incident while performing a recreational flight. The aircraft, operated by a private individual, was conducting a series of training landings on a private field leased by the pilot for agricultural use.
After completing an initial landing in a nearby meadow, the pilot returned to the leased field for another landing attempt before sunset. Upon touchdown, the pilot applied the brakes too aggressively while attempting to straighten the aircraft's direction. The combination of the sudden braking and the loose, sandy nature of the soil caused the propeller to dig into the ground, resulting in the aircraft flipping onto its back.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the pilot's statements, witness testimony, and the physical condition of the aircraft. The investigation established that the pilot was a validly licensed ultra-light aircraft pilot with a current medical certificate. The weather conditions at the time were clear and calm, with no significant wind reported.
Investigators inspected the aircraft and found damage to the propeller and cone, a bent strut, broken fuel cap evaporators, a bent slot, and a forced engine stoppage. The investigation also confirmed that the pilot had successfully operated from the same field earlier that day without issue, which contributed to his confidence in the surface's suitability for landing.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the pilot's inappropriate application of the brakes during touchdown on a soft, sandy surface.
- The loose soil conditions of the landing strip contributed to the propeller digging into the earth, triggering the inversion.
- The pilot's familiarity with the field, having recently sown it with winter barley, led to an overestimation of the surface's stability under braking loads.
- The aircraft was in a technically sound condition, and weather conditions played no role in the occurrence.