What happened
On September 11, 2010, a CAP 232 aircraft, registration F-GXCP, was participating in the 17th FAI European Aerobatic Championships at Toužim airport. After completing a four-minute "Free Style" aerobatic sequence, the pilot commenced a left-hand pattern for landing on unpaved runway 26.
During the approach, the pilot misidentified a white cross—which was actually a marker indicating an unserviceable section of the runway—as the touchdown point. The aircraft touched down approximately 120 meters before the displaced threshold, within the area previously closed due to saturated ground conditions. Upon touchdown, the main landing gear and tailwheel sank into the heavily softened, muddy turf. As the aircraft continued its rollout, the right landing gear leg broke away, causing the propeller to strike the ground and the aircraft to nose over. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained significant damage, including a broken propeller and damage to the right wing.
The investigation
The ÚZPL0N investigation established that the pilot was fully qualified and had attended the pre-flight briefing, where the unserviceable portion of the runway was noted. The aircraft was found to be in good technical condition, and the weather conditions were suitable for flight. The investigation focused on the pilot's visual misinterpretation of the runway markings and the physical impact of the saturated surface on the landing gear.