What happened
On March 2, 2018, a Diamond DA 40 NG was performing an instrument approach to runway 25 at Stuttgart Airport. The flight, which originated from Schönhagen, was operating under IFR, though the aircraft was not equipped with DME for such operations in Germany. During the final approach, the pilot was managing high approach speeds and attempting to descend to the required altitude.
As the aircraft neared the runway threshold, the pilot attempted to manage a high sink rate by increasing pitch and reducing engine power to idle. Upon touchdown of the main gear, the pilot immediately applied full takeoff power and attempted a go-around. However, the pilot retracted the flaps prematurely and failed to maintain the necessary airspeed. The aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall, lost directional control, and veered off the runway, striking the airport perimeter fence before coming to rest in a nearby field. The two passengers on board sustained two minor injuries.
The investigation
The BFU examined the aircraft's flight data, avionics, and the pilot's actions. The investigation focused on the pilot's management of the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) and the decision-making process during the approach. Investigators also reviewed meteorological conditions, noting that the flight occurred in snowy, high-stress conditions. The investigation also looked into the aircraft's weight and balance, finding that the center of gravity was outside the permitted range.