What happened
On June 23, 2019, a PIPER PA 18-150, registration D-ENRJ, was performing a routine landing at Hässleholm/Bokeberg airport in Sweden. The pilot was engaged in a practice maneuver known as a short landing, which involves aiming for a specific point ahead of the runway threshold to ensure the aircraft touches down on the paved surface.
During the approach, the aircraft was flying at approximately 60 mph with full flaps at an altitude of about five meters. The pilot suddenly experienced a loss of lift, prompting an immediate attempt to compensate by pulling back on the control stick and increasing engine power. Despite these efforts, the aircraft's wheels made contact with an adjacent field covered in high crops several meters before the runway threshold. The impact with the vegetation caused intense deceleration, which forced the aircraft to capsize and come to rest upside down. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was able to exit the wreckage independently.
The investigation
The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (SHK) examined the flight conditions and the pilot's maneuvers. Investigators noted that the day was characterized by significant convective activity, where solar heating of the ground creates rising air currents. Such conditions often lead to rapid fluctuations in local wind direction and strength. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training routine and the physical state of the landing area, specifically the presence of overgrown crops adjacent to the airport surface.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the ambition to land short over a real obstacle, which left the pilot with insufficient safety margins to manage unforeseen environmental changes.
- A sudden wind gust from behind likely caused the sudden loss of lift that the pilot could not counteract.
- The pilot failed to adequately assess the risks associated with performing maneuvers over an area of high crops.
- While the aircraft type is suitable for short takeoff and landing operations, the use of obstacles for training purposes increases the risk of such incidents.