Event Details
On 8 November 2023 at 12:58 local time, a Diamond DA42 aircraft, registration YR-SCD, was conducting a school flight from Tuzla aerodrome in Constanța county. The aircraft had taken off at 11:42 with two persons on board: a pilot instructor and a student pilot. The student held a valid single-engine piston (SEP) license and was on his first flight in a multi-engine training program.
During the landing on runway 16, the aircraft touched down approximately 190 meters from the runway threshold. The crew was unable to reduce speed sufficiently within the remaining runway distance. The aircraft exited the paved surface of runway 16 and came to a stop against the aerodrome boundary fence. The aircraft sustained significant damage, but neither crew member suffered bodily injuries nor required medical attention.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was a Diamond DA42, serial number 42.123, manufactured in 2006, owned by S.C. Regional Air Services S.R.L., and registered in Romania as YR-SCD.
The pilot instructor was a 60-year-old male holding a valid PPL (MEP) license and a valid medical certificate. The student pilot was a 22-year-old male holding a valid PPL (SEP) license and a valid medical certificate.
Accident Location and Runway
The accident occurred at Tuzla aerodrome (LRTZ), located 12 nautical miles south of Constanța. The aerodrome has two grass runways (04/22 and 16/34) according to the AIP Romania. However, on the day of the event, the runway 16/34 was asphalt, approximately 480 meters long and 50 meters wide, with an elevation of 50 meters. NOTAMs indicated the aerodrome was closed for major infrastructure modernization except for aircraft of Regional Air Services.
Investigation Status
The investigation is ongoing. The AIAS (Romanian Air Investigation Authority) has deployed a commission to the site, conducted initial investigation, collected photographic and video evidence, gathered preliminary information and documents regarding the crew and aircraft, and recorded statements from both pilots. The probable cause will be published in the final report upon completion of the investigation.