What happened
On May 5, 2013, a student pilot was conducting a solo training flight at Liberec Airport (LKLB). The flight followed several successful circuits performed with an instructor in a tow plane. After completing a 360-degree turn at an altitude of 750 meters, the pilot joined the circuit for the glider runway. During the fourth circuit, the pilot deployed the airbrakes for the approach.
As the aircraft approached the runway, it began to float above the grass strip. In an attempt to correct the situation, the pilot closed the airbrakes and applied slight forward and then aft elevator input. However, the aircraft struck the ground with significant force on the main landing gear. The impact caused the landing gear attachment structure to be torn from the fiberglass bulkhead within the fuselage. The aircraft came to a stop approximately 20 meters after the impact point. The pilot sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the flight sequence, the pilot's training status, and the aircraft's technical condition. The pilot, a 42-year-old student with 31 hours of flight time, held a valid Class 2 medical certificate. An instructor monitoring the flight from the ground observed that the pilot misjudged the height above the ground, initiating the flare at approximately 2 meters.
The investigation also reviewed the maintenance history of the SF-34, registration OK-3401. The aircraft had undergone its annual inspection in June 2012 and was found airworthy. Meteorological data confirmed that weather conditions at the time of the accident were stable, with scattered clouds and light winds.
Findings
- The pilot misjudged the altitude during the flare process.
- While the pilot reacted correctly by closing the airbrakes to prevent further floating, the subsequent loss of airspeed or late elevator input led to a hard landing.
- The force of the impact was sufficient to damage the structural mounting of the main landing gear.
- The aircraft was in a fully airworthy condition prior to the accident.