History of the Flight
The accident occurred during a private VFR flight from Rendsburg Schachtholm (EDXR) to Endelave (EKEL). Upon arrival, the pilot visually inspected the airstrip. During a low approach at a shallow angle to runway 29, the pilot reduced engine power and initiated the flare on short final. The aircraft touched down in a wheat field approximately 10 meters before the runway threshold, where the main landing gear struck an upslope roadside adjacent to a road crossing perpendicular to the runway start. The left main landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to veer uncontrollably left, departing the airstrip. In the grass parking area, the left wing collided with the nose landing gear of a parked aircraft. The aircraft continued left, impacting a tree and a farm building, then came to rest and caught an explosive fire. Witnesses initiated a rescue mission.
Injuries to Persons
The pilot sustained serious injuries. Two passengers received serious injuries, and one passenger suffered minor injuries. No fatalities occurred.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft was destroyed by the post-crash fire.
Other Damage
The accident damaged the nose landing gear and fuselage of a parked aircraft. The post-crash fire also damaged a tree and a farm building.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Partenavia P68B, registration D-GATA, serial number 82. It was powered by two Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 engines with Hartzell propellers (HC-C2YK-2CUF/FC7666AB-4). Maximum take-off mass was 1960 kg, maximum landing mass 1860 kg. The airworthiness review certificate was valid until 10 November 2018. The latest maintenance inspection occurred on 6 November 2017. Total flight hours at the time were unknown, but at the last 100-hour inspection, the aircraft had 3260 hours. The pilot had 950 total flight hours, with 70 hours on type.
Meteorological Information
The accident occurred during daylight under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). The local aerodrome forecast (TAF) and routine weather report (METAR) for EKEL were available, but specific data were not detailed in the bulletin.
Airstrip Information
Endelave (EKEL) airstrip features runway 29. On short final, high crops were present. The beginning of the runway was crossed perpendicularly by a road with an upslope roadside. The pilot had no prior experience landing a twin-engine aircraft at this airstrip, but had flown there in single-engine aircraft.
Survival Aspects
The resolute actions of witnesses and the local community, combined with an effective rescue mission, prevented fatalities and resulted in serious rather than fatal injuries.
Probable Cause
The Danish Accident Investigation Board concluded that flying a low approach at a shallow angle to runway 29 over high crops on short final might have disturbed the pilot's depth perception, leading to an undershoot landing and touchdown at the upslope roadside.