Introduction
On 1 October 2023, a WT-9 Dynamic aircraft, registration OM-MIR, crashed in the built-up area of Čáčov, part of Senica, Slovakia. The aircraft was destroyed by impact. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured.
Flight History
The aircraft departed from Senica Airport (LZSE) for an unspecified flight under visual flight rules (VFR) without a flight plan. During an unauthorized maneuver at low altitude, the aircraft entered an unusual attitude, followed by a wing drop and a spin. The pilot in command (PIC) was unable to recover from the spin, and the aircraft collided with terrain 2.13 km northeast of the airport. The accident occurred at 16:38 UTC. The Rescue Coordination Centre Bratislava received notification via the Fire and Rescue Service.
Injuries
| Injury | Crew | Passenger | Others | |--------|------|-----------|--------| | Fatal | 1 | 1 | - | | Serious| - | - | - | | Minor | - | - | - | | None | - | - | - |
Aircraft Damage
The fuselage was damaged primarily in the forward section, with the engine separated and the cockpit collapsed. The fuselage was cracked circumferentially toward the rear. Wings were separated from the fuselage (partially due to wreckage transport) and showed impact damage. Control surfaces were intact but cracked, movable within the range allowed by damage to control kinematics. The tail section remained attached, with delamination and skin cracking; elevator and rudder were functional. Control cables and rods were intact. The engine was separated from the fuselage. Propeller blades were separated at the root. Landing gear legs were displaced rearward, consistent with the impact direction. The left control stick was broken at its mounting bracket due to impact; the right control stick was slightly bent forward. The rudder pedal system could not be inspected due to forward fuselage destruction.
Personnel Information
The PIC, a 52-year-old Slovak citizen, held a Private Pilot License (PPL(A)) issued on 31 October 2022, with a SEP(L) rating valid until 31 October 2024 and a glider towing rating without stated validity. His Class 2 medical certificate was valid until 2 September 2023; his LAPL medical was valid until 2 September 2024. Total flight experience: 160 hours 8 minutes, of which 38 hours 35 minutes were on the accident type. The passenger was a 19-year-old Slovak citizen seated in the right cockpit seat.
Aircraft Information
The WT-9 Dynamic LSA is a single-engine, two-seat, low-wing composite aircraft. It was manufactured by AEROSPOOL, spol. s r.o., Prievidza, in 2007, with serial number DY-166/2007. Maximum takeoff mass is 600 kg. Airframe total time since new (TSN) was 617 hours 50 minutes, with 1,764 total landings. The aircraft was fitted with a Rotax 912 S2 engine (serial 4923426) and a Woodcomp SR2000 three-blade controllable-pitch propeller. A ballistic parachute rescue system (USH 52_S) was installed but was not armed; the safety pin had not been removed, contrary to the pre-takeoff checklist (Flight Manual, Section 4, paragraph 4.5.5, item 15). The last annual/100-hour inspection occurred on 17 June 2022 (airframe TSN 510:55, TLSN 1,524).
Meteorological and Navigational Information
Meteorological conditions were not reported. The aircraft was equipped for day VFR only, with an EFIS-Dynon D100 and a GPS AvMap EKP IV. It carried an ATR833 VHF radio.
Airport Information
Senica Airport (LZSE) is a non-public domestic aerodrome used for general aviation, flight training, glider towing, and parachuting. Traffic patterns are flown east of the airport to minimize overflight of built-up areas.
Probable Cause
The aircraft entered an unusual attitude while conducting an unauthorized maneuver at low altitude, resulting in a wing drop and spin that the pilot could not recover, leading to collision with terrain.