What happened
On March 16, 2009, a Diamond DA 42 was conducting an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight from Linz to Nuremberg. During the approach to runway 28, the aircraft was significantly higher than the prescribed altitude. At the OSNUB 1 approach fix, the aircraft was at 900 feet above the target altitude of 4,000 feet. When the approach controller queried if the altitude was sufficient for a landing, the pilot responded that it was okay.
The aircraft maintained a descent rate of approximately 1,400 ft/min and an average speed of 171 knots during the final approach. The pilot did not regain visual contact with the ground until the aircraft was already halfway down the runway. Upon landing on the rain-wet surface of runway 28, the aircraft traveled approximately 2 meters beyond the end of the runway. During the subsequent turn, the aircraft collided with two runway approach lights, causing damage to a propeller tip on the right engine.
There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained light damage.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the flight profile and the pilot's decision-making during the approach. The investigation established that the aircraft was operating under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with low visibility due to drizzle and mist. All ILS equipment at Nuremberg was fully operational and functioning correctly at the time of the incident.