What happened
On June 9, 2018, a Tecnam P2008JC, registration OK-NDB, was performing a flight from LKHV to Rakovník (LKRK) for a local aviation event titled "100 years in the Czech sky." During the approach, the pilot failed to follow the established traffic pattern and mistakenly directed the aircraft toward runway 09L, which had been closed for the event.
Although the airfield information service had notified arriving aircraft that runway 09R was in use and that 09L was closed, the pilot turned onto the closed runway. The pilot also failed to notice the white cross markings indicating the runway's closed status. Upon landing on the closed runway, the aircraft struck metal crowd barriers used to separate the spectators from the operational area. The impact of the barriers, thrown by the propeller, caused damage to the propeller, the propeller spinner, the engine cowling, the horizontal stabilizer, and the leading edge of the wing. No injuries were reported to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation established that the airfield information service was functioning correctly, providing pilots with the necessary information regarding the active runway (09R) and the closed status of 09L. The personnel at the information station were also providing guidance for aircraft taxiing and parking on the apron at the time of the incident. The investigation found that the information officer did not observe the aircraft on final approach and therefore could not issue a warning. The investigation also confirmed that the closed runway markings were correctly placed at both ends of the runway in accordance with regulations.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to respect the information provided during the landing phase, which led to the aircraft landing and taxiing on a closed runway.
- The pilot failed to observe the visual markings (white crosses) indicating the runway was closed.
- The aircraft struck metal barriers that were in place to delineate the spectator area.
- The impact of the barriers against the propeller caused significant structural damage to the wing, engine cowling, and tail surfaces.