What happened
On July 2, 2000, a Cessna 172 P departed from the Karlshöfen landing field for a private sightseeing flight with three passengers on board. During the landing sequence, the pilot attempted an initial approach on runway 12 but aborted the landing after a hard touchdown.
During a second approach, the pilot again initiated a go-around. Witnesses observed the aircraft climbing steeply over the runway threshold. Despite radio instructions from bystanders advising the pilot to apply full power and maintain pitch, the aircraft began to tilt over the left wing at an altitude of approximately 12 to 15 meters. The aircraft struck the grass 213 meters beyond the threshold, 31 meters to the left of the runway, in a steep attitude with the longitudinal axis nearly opposing the direction of landing.
The impact destroyed the aircraft. While the pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries, one passenger died eight days after the accident.
The investigation
The BFU investigation, conducted alongside local police, was complicated by the high degree of aircraft destruction and the necessity of maneuvering the wreckage to recover the injured. Investigators reconstructed the flight sequence using witness statements, site findings, and the pilot's testimony.
Key elements examined included the aircraft's configuration, the pilot's medical fitness, and environmental conditions. The investigation noted that the pilot had trimmed the aircraft in a tail-heavy configuration for landing. While a passenger reported hearing an audible warning tone that prompted the go-around, investigators assessed this likely as the stall warning activating due to insufficient airspeed. The investigation found no evidence of mechanical failure, significant weather disturbances, or pilot impairment, noting that the pilot's blood alcohol level was well within legal limits.
Findings
- The aircraft was trimmed in a tail-heavy position.
- The pilot's flight control inputs during the go-around failed to sufficiently counteract the aircraft's natural tendency to pitch up as power was applied.
- The aircraft's climb rate was accompanied by a loss of airspeed, leading to an aerodynamic stall.
- There were no technical defects or significant environmental factors, such as wind shear or sun glare, contributing to the accident.
- The pilot failed to maintain the necessary airspeed during the go-around maneuver.