History of the Flight
The Beechcraft C24R, registered OO-E**, was based at Charleroi Airport (EBCI). The pilot intended to fly to Zwartberg Airfield (EBZW) for an annual avionics check and auto-pilot corrections. After taking off from EBCI, the pilot attempted to contact EBZW radio near Hasselt but received no response. He overflew the airfield, initially assuming Runway 03 was in use, and entered the circuit. While on downwind, he established contact and was informed that Runway 21 was in use, so he transitioned to the Runway 21 circuit. Landing checks were completed without issue.
During the approach, the pilot recalled being too high above the threshold, a fact confirmed by witnesses in the first hangar bordering the runway. The pilot also reported feeling the airplane drifting, which he attempted to compensate. He decided to abort the landing and applied full throttle. The airplane then banked sharply to the left, the left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane crashed, coming to rest approximately 50 meters from the runway edge.
Injuries to Persons
The pilot (the sole occupant) sustained serious injuries: a broken hip and a broken nose. No other persons were injured.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained heavy damage to both wings and the fuselage. No other damage occurred.
Personnel Information
The pilot was 63 years old, held a Private Pilot Licence first issued on 31 October 2001 (valid until 27 August 2013), with a SEP (land) rating valid until 31 October 2012 and an English language proficiency valid until 27 August 2013. His Class 2 Medical Certificate was valid until 24 August 2011. His total flight experience was 260 hours accumulated between 2002 and 2011, mostly on the accident aircraft from EBCI. In 2011 he flew 5:48 hours, with an average of 22 hours per year in 2009-2010.
Aircraft Information
The Raytheon Aircraft Company C24R is a four/six-seat, low-wing, single-engine aircraft with retractable landing gear and a 200 hp Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 engine. Its maximum takeoff weight is 2,750 lb (1,247 kg). The aircraft was built in 1980 (serial number MC-745) and had a total time since new of 3,788:11 flight hours. The engine had 1,940:16 hours since overhaul, and the propeller (Hartzell HC-M2YR-1BF) had 88:39 hours since new. The Airworthiness Review Certificate was valid until 27 May 2011.
Meteorological Conditions
Wind was from 190° at 4 knots, visibility greater than 10 km, temperature 20°C, QNH 1015 hPa, and CAVOK conditions.
Aerodrome Information
Zwartberg Airfield (EBZW) is located 5 km north of Genk, with an asphalt runway of 799 m oriented 034°/214°. The airfield has noise abatement procedures and a minimum pattern altitude of 1300 feet AMSL. A coal mine spoil tip lies east of the airfield, and trees border the runway.
Wreckage and Impact Information
When the pilot applied full power for the go-around, witnesses observed the airplane touch down at approximately half the runway length. The pilot recalled a hard banking to the left. The left wing struck the ground first, followed by the nose in a cartwheel motion. The wreckage came to rest 41 m from the runway border, oriented 240°. Post-accident examination revealed the throttle was full forward, mixture rich, propeller high pitch, flaps fully extended, and landing gear extended.
Cause
The accident was caused by a loss of control during the rejection of the landing, caused by an inadequate (too high) approach, a late decision to go-around and an inadequate reaction the pilot.
Safety Recommendations
No safety recommendations were issued in the report.