What happened
On December 13, 2014, an L-2মানিক L-200A Morava, registration OK-OGA, was performing aerial photography over Prague when it attempted to land at Letňany Airport (LKLT). After completing a 360-degree holding maneuver, the pilot initiated an approach to runway 23R.
In an effort to land as close as possible to the runway threshold—to avoid interfering with a Z-526 aircraft that had just vacated the runway—the pilot executed a landing profile with a shallow descent angle. During this phase, the low sun suddenly appeared between clouds, causing intense glare that disoriented the pilot. Consequently, the aircraft flew at an insufficient altitude, striking the treetops of a wooded area near the Toužimská road. The pilot likely instinctively pulled up after the initial impacts, allowing the aircraft to clear subsequent trees and land on runway 23R. There were no injuries to the pilot or the camera operator on board, but the aircraft sustained significant damage to its nose, wings, and engine cowlings.
The investigation
An investigation by the ÚZPLN established that the aircraft's engines and control systems were fully functional prior to the impact. Security camera footage from the airport confirmed that the aircraft was flying at an extremely low altitude, specifically below 15 meters, as it crossed the adjacent roadway. The investigation also examined the pilot's decision-making process regarding the landing distance and the impact of the sudden change in lighting conditions caused by the setting sun.
Findings
- The pilot utilized an inappropriate landing profile, attempting to land too close to the threshold.
- The pilot's attention was divided between monitoring the altitude and tracking the preceding aircraft on the runway.
- The primary cause of the accident was an incorrectly executed landing calculation.
- Sudden solar glare caused a temporary loss of visual reference to the ground.
- The aircraft failed to maintain a safe clearance height above obstacles.