Factual Information
On 23 August 2011, a Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II, registration OK-ALY, operated by Aviatický klub, s.r.o., was involved in an accident at Vodochody Airport (LKVO). The flight was a ferry from Roudnice Airport (LKRO) to an authorized maintenance facility at Vodochody. The pilot, a 22-year-old male holding a CPL(A) with 438 hours and 45 minutes total flight time (78 hours 30 minutes on type), was the sole occupant and was not injured.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that earlier on 18 July 2011, the aircraft experienced a sudden power loss of the left engine during takeoff from LKRO, leading to a precautionary landing and runway excursion. After inspection, the cause was determined to be inadequate function of the mechanical fuel pump. Visual checks of the landing gear system were performed, except for main wing spars and gear extension/retraction functions; a ferry flight to the maintenance facility at LKVO was required for those checks.
On the day of the accident, the pilot conducted a pre-flight inspection, engine run-up, and set flaps to 25° for takeoff at 17:30 UTC. Both engines developed maximum takeoff power, and the climb was normal. The flight was conducted with the landing gear extended. At LKVO, the pilot executed a straight-in approach to Runway 10, stabilized with flaps initially at 10°, then extending to 25° and 40° on final. The pilot intended a shorter landing to exit via Taxiway B. Approach speed was about 100 mph. At approximately 15 m above the runway threshold, the pilot felt a sinking sensation, responded by increasing engine power and pulling back on the controls (not fully). The aircraft landed hard on the main gear, then the nose gear, nearly three-point, with full aft control and increased power. No stall warning occurred. After touchdown, there was no bounce, but about one second later the nose dropped and the aircraft began a slow left turn. The pilot closed the throttle, and after both propellers struck the ground and engines stopped, he shut off fuel, magnetos, alternators, and master switch. The pilot exited uninjured at 17:40 UTC.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained significant damage. The nose gear retracted during the hard landing, causing the nose to drop. The fiberglass nose fairing was cracked, torn, and abraded. The forward fuselage bulkhead at the nose gear attachment point was torn, and rivets on the right side of the center tunnel were sheared. Cracks were found on the upper part of the nose gear shock strut and drag brace. The right main gear attachment bracket had cracks, and both drag brace brackets had small cracks. Both propellers struck the ground, resulting in symmetric rearward bending of all blades, and both engines were forcibly stopped. Additional minor damage was noted.
Personnel and Aircraft Information
The pilot had a valid CPL(A) and medical certificate. The aircraft, built in 1976, had a total time of 6800 hours 31 minutes. The last maintenance (100-hour/annual) was on 27 May 2011 at 6772 hours 5 minutes, with no discrepancies found. Since then, the aircraft had flown 28 hours 26 minutes in 77 flights. The aircraft was insured.
Meteorological Conditions
According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, on the accident day, weak winds from 020° to 080° at 4-6 knots, visibility above 10 km, nearly clear skies with scattered clouds above 10,000 ft AGL, no turbulence, and zero-degree isotherm at 13,500 ft AMSL. METAR reports from Prague Ruzyně and Kbely indicated CAVOK conditions.
The investigation was conducted by the Czech Accident Investigation Institute (ÚZPLN). No probable cause was stated in the provided source extract.