Incident Overview
On March 28, 2016, a Cessna Aircraft Company Cessna 172P (serial number 172-76044) was involved in an accident at the Verkehrslandeplatz Wyk auf Föhr (EDXY). The aircraft, operated by a German air transport company, sustained heavy damage. Two individuals were lightly injured, and one person remained uninjured. No third-party damage or fire was reported.
Flight Details and Pilot Profile
The pilot, a 30-year-old holder of an EU Commercial Pilot License (CPL(A)) issued by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, had a total flight time of 1,040 hours, including 963 hours on single-engine land aircraft. He held a valid Class 1 medical certificate. The flight was a commercial sightseeing tour under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) with two passengers aboard.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft departed runway 09 at 12:10 local time. Upon return, the pilot elected to land on runway 09 due to wind conditions. After initial touchdown, gusty winds prompted a go-around decision. The aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude and drifted left. To avoid obstacles, the pilot veered toward an open field and set the engine to idle when further climb was impossible.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of landing, wind was reported from 140° at 22 knots. A METAR report for nearby Sylt (EDXW) at 12:20 indicated winds from 150° at 25 knots with gusts up to 37 knots, clear skies, and a temperature of 10°C.
Aircraft Condition and Investigation Findings
The aircraft impacted the ground approximately 260 meters northeast of runway 09. The fuselage bent right behind the cabin, while the engine-propeller unit bent left. Both wings were folded upward beyond the aileron span. The nose gear and exhaust system were detached. Control surfaces were deformed but connections remained intact. No technical defects were identified prior to the accident. The investigation was conducted by the Bundesstelle für Flugunfalluntersuchung (BFU) under case number BFU16-0310-3X.