What happened
On September 6, 2003, at 17:23 UTC, a Zlín Z-526 AFS-V, registration OK-CXB, was performing a landing on runway 29 at Holešov Airport. During the final stages of the approach, at an altitude of approximately 2 to 3 meters above the ground, the aircraft experienced a loss of airspeed. During this flare, the tailwheel struck the ground, causing the aircraft to impact the main landing gear with the surface.
Following the initial impact, the aircraft began to veer toward the right edge of the runway. As the aircraft exited the paved surface, the left landing gear struck a runway lighting fixture. This collision caused the aircraft to bank heavily onto its left wing and spin 180 degrees, eventually coming to a stop facing the opposite direction of the landing roll. There were no injuries to the pilot or any other persons.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation established that the pilot held the appropriate qualifications and a valid medical certificate. Weather conditions at the time of the landing were reported as CAVOK (ceiling and visibility OK). The investigation found no mechanical defects on the aircraft prior to or during the flight, and the airport infrastructure was determined not to be a contributing factor to the incident.
Findings
- The pilot failed to maintain the correct landing technique during the flare phase.
- The aircraft's tailwheel struck the ground while the aircraft was at an altitude of 2–3 meters.
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to control the aircraft technique during the landing phase, leading to the loss of directional control and the subsequent collision with the runway lighting fixture.