What happened
On June 9, 2017, a Cessna 182P aircraft registered F-BXZI departed Strejnic-Ploiești aerodrome for a private flight to Cluj-Traian Dârjan airfield. The pilot arrived at the destination and contacted Cluj Tower to request airspace entry approval and operational information. A recently landed ULM pilot informed the tower that only approximately 400 meters of the runway were usable due to ongoing surface work. This information was relayed by the tower to the Cessna pilot, who acknowledged receipt.
The Cessna pilot then aligned with Runway 08 and landed without further radio contact. Upon touchdown, the aircraft rolled approximately 150 meters before the pilot began braking. The remaining distance was insufficient to stop within the airfield limits. The aircraft overran the end of the runway, crossed an access road, and came to rest against an embankment on the opposite side.
The pilot sustained no injuries. The aircraft sustained damage including a broken nose landing gear, twisted propeller blades, and a bent engine cowling.
The investigation
Investigation measurements revealed that the actual usable runway length was 308 meters, not the 400 meters communicated by the ULM pilot. The Cessna required a landing distance of 263 meters (188 meters base plus 40% for grass surface). Because the touchdown occurred near the end of the available strip and braking was delayed until after 150 meters of roll, the aircraft could not stop in time.
The investigation also found that the pilot had not contacted the airfield administrator to obtain prior approval for landing, as required by Romanian Government Decision No. 912/2010 for non-certified fields. The pilot relied solely on outdated website data showing a full 900-meter runway and did not verify current conditions before arrival.
Findings
The primary cause was the pilot's landing toward the end of the available runway, resulting from an incorrect assessment of the touchdown point relative to the usable length. This error stemmed from relying on unverified radio information regarding runway availability and failing to contact the airfield administrator for accurate operational data prior to arrival.
Contributing factors included:
- The pilot delayed braking until 150 meters after touchdown, reducing available stopping distance.
- F-BXZI touched down too far down the usable 308-meter strip.
- The airfield website failed to update information regarding runway closures or reductions.
Safety action
The investigation commission issued two safety recommendations: 1. To the Romanian Civil Aeronautical Authority: Issue notices or conduct educational campaigns emphasizing the importance of flight preparation and contacting non-certified airfield administrators before landing. 2. To the Romanian Aeroclub: Ensure all website information regarding airfield conditions and availability is permanently updated.