What happened
On May 26, 1998, a Rockwell Commander 114, registration D-EBGM, was conducting a private flight from Hamburg, Germany, to Hornlanda Airport in Kisa, Sweden. During the final approach, the aircraft's descent was steeper than planned. At approximately 100 feet, the aircraft began drifting toward the right side of the runway. The aircraft touched down with one main wheel still off the asphalt surface.
Following the initial touchdown, the pilot applied full power while maintaining a nose-high attitude. The aircraft continued to track toward the right before eventually exiting the runway surface. After traveling off the pavement, the aircraft veered sharply to the and entered an adjacent forest, where the engine eventually failed. The impact caused the aircraft to break up substantially. The pilot sustained serious injuries, while the co-pilot suffered minor injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical condition and the airport's infrastructure. Technical analysis of the propeller and throttle position confirmed that the engine was at full power at the time of the accident. The aircraft was also configured with 35-degree landing flaps. The investigation found no mechanical defects or pre-existing faults with the aircraft.
Witness testimony from the airport owner indicated that the aircraft passed over the runway threshold slightly high and performed a nose-high round-out, touching down halfway down the runway. The investigation also reviewed the airport's compliance with aviation regulations, noting that the runway width and cleared area at Hornlanda did not meet the minimum standards set by the Swedish Civil Aviation Administration.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the aircraft landing partially on the grass outside the asphalt runway, which induced significant drag and led to a loss of control.
- The aircraft's high-drag configuration, characterized by a nose-high attitude and 35-degree flaps, prevented the engine from generating enough performance to recover the flight path.
- The pilot did not attempt to lower the nose or reduce the landing configuration to mitigate the drag.
- The airport's runway width and cleared area were below the regulatory requirements for landing surfaces and safety margins.
Safety action
- The Swedish Civil Aviation Administration should more strictly enforce minimum standards for airport landing surfaces and cleared widths, prohibiting the use of airfields that fail to meet these safety requirements.