Accident Overview
On 27 October 2019 at 07:50 UTC, a Maule M-5-210C (registration N775RG) sustained substantial damage during landing at Mikulovice Airport (LKMI). The pilot, the sole occupant, was injured. The aircraft was used for towing gliders as part of the "Vlnový kemp 2019" event organized by Aeroklub Jeseník.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft, manufactured in 1974 by Maule Air, Inc., had accumulated 2,159 hours and 22 minutes of total flight time. It was powered by a Continental IO-360-A engine with a McCauley propeller. The pilot, aged 37, held a valid Private Pilot License (PPL(A)) with ratings for single-engine piston land (SEP land) and towing (TOWING-S/BAN). His total flight experience was 357 hours 5 minutes, including 106 hours 57 minutes on the accident type.
Meteorological Conditions
Weather conditions were influenced by a warm, dry southwest airflow ahead of a cold front. Surface wind at LKMI was recorded from 220°–230° at 6–8 m/s with gusts of 11–12 m/s. Visibility exceeded 40 km, and QNH was 1016 hPa. A meteorologist on site noted that due to dry air from a foehn effect, typical rotor cloud did not form, making turbulence difficult to anticipate. Significant turbulence from a lee wave rotor was considered a likely factor in the accident sequence.
Accident Sequence
According to the pilot and witnesses, the landing on runway 23 proceeded normally until a strong gust from the right affected the aircraft after touchdown. The aircraft bounced and banked left. The pilot attempted correction with aileron and full right rudder but could not prevent the left wingtip from contacting the ground. The aircraft then briefly became airborne—estimated at 3 meters by the pilot and 10–15 meters by one witness—before losing lift and impacting the ground, first with the right wing and then nose-first. The wreckage came to rest approximately 100 meters left of the runway centerline and 27 meters past the threshold.
Aftermath
The pilot egressed unassisted and received first aid from bystanders. He was subsequently transported to a hospital in Jeseník. Police responded and administered a breath alcohol test, which was negative. The emergency locator transmitter was deactivated at the request of the Rescue Coordination Centre. The aircraft was declared irreparable due to extensive damage to the fuselage, wings, engine mount, and landing gear.
Probable Cause
Not specified in the available source.