2010 Piper PA-28-181 accident at Lauenbrück

Overview and flight details On 6 August 2010, a Piper Aircraft Corporation PA 28-181 departed Paderborn-Lippstadt (EDLP) at 09:30 local time for a visual flight rules (VFR) flight to Kiel-Holtenau (EDHK). At 10:29, the pilot reported engine problems and a position near Lauenbrück (EDHU) to the flight information service. Air traffic control provided course recommendations for the approach. At 10:35, the pilot reported the airfield in sight. ## Landing and accident sequence According to the pilot, the landing occurred on the second approach. During the final approach, the engine experienced a power loss. The pilot attempted to compensate by increasing throttle, which caused the aircraft to become too fast. On the first touchdown, the aircraft bounced; on the second touchdown, the nose gear collapsed and the propeller contacted the ground. ## Aircraft and personnel The aircraft was a four-seat, low-wing, metal-construction airplane built in 2000 and operated by a club. It was registered in Germany. The last airworthiness inspection was on 19 December 2009, and the last 50-hour check was on 28 July 2010. The 50-year-old pilot held a JAR-FCL pilot license issued on 4 September 2003, valid until 26 September 2012, with single-engine land and touring motor glider ratings. His Class 2 medical certificate was valid until 22 October 2011, with a requirement to wear glasses and carry a spare. Total experience was 209 hours and 520 takeoffs and landings; type experience was 64 hours and 51 takeoffs and landings. ## Meteorological and airfield conditions Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The nearest METAR from Hamburg-Finkenwerder (EDHI) reported wind from northern directions at 5 knots, visibility over 10 km, scattered cloud with a base of 1,800 ft, temperature 18 °C, and QNH 1,016 hPa. Lauenbrück (EDHU) is located about 0.8 nautical miles northeast of the town of Lauenbrück and has a 600 m by 20 m grass runway oriented 11/29. The available landing distance for runway 29 was 600 m. The airfield was not in operation at the time of landing. ## Findings at the accident site The aircraft came to rest approximately 320 m beyond the threshold of runway 29. The nose gear was bent and the propeller was bent. Combustion residues were found between the electrodes of the upper spark plug of the left front cylinder. The right wing tank was half full and the left wing tank was full.