What happened
On March 11, 2007, a Z 142 aircraft, registration OK-OPM, operated by Aeroklub Ostrava, crashed near the village of Trnávka during a recreational flight. The flight originated from Ostrava Mošnov airport, initially intended for a series of circuit patterns and local flight.
During the critical phase of the flight, the pilot performed several maneuvers involving steep climbs and rapid changes in airspeed. After requesting and receiving landing clearance for runway 2 and 22, the pilot executed a steep climb. Witnesses observed the aircraft performing an unsuccessful maneuver that led into a spin. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground in a field at a low altitude, followed by an explosion and intense fire that completely destroyed the aircraft. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained fatal injuries upon impact.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation reconstructed the flight path using ATC radio communications and multi-radar system (ALS) data. Although the aircraft's transponder was not in Mode C, the investigators were able to derive the vertical profile and ground speed from the ALS data and witness testimonies.
Investigators examined the wreckage and the engine, finding that the engine was running at high power at the moment of impact and showed no signs of mechanical failure. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training records, noting that while the pilot held a valid SEP qualification, they did not possess an aerobatic rating or specific training for recovering from advanced spins.
Findings
- The pilot intentionally entered a steep climb, which was followed by a significant loss of airspeed.
- The pilot failed to recover from a spin due to insufficient altitude and an incorrect recovery technique involving pulling back on the control column at a critical moment.
- The pilot lacked the necessary aerobatic qualifications and experience to manage the aircraft during such high-stress, low-speed maneuvers.
- The aircraft was in a fully functional condition with no mechanical or structural defects contributing to the accident.
- The pilot's stress response during the developing emergency likely contributed to the unsuccessful recovery attempt.