What happened
On August 28, 2020, a Cessna 401A was conducting a VFR flight from Marl-Lohmühle to Arnsberg-Menden. The flight, which included the pilot and two passengers, involved a flight path that required a high-bank turn to intercept the final approach for runway 23.
During the final stages of the approach, the aircraft's airspeed continuously decreased. The pilot failed to maintain the required approach speeds, eventually dropping below the minimum control speed and the stall speed for the landing flap configuration. As the pilot attempted to flare, the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall and struck a slope approximately 200 meters short of the runway threshold. The impact caused serious injuries to the pilot and both passengers, and the aircraft sustained heavy damage.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined the aircraft's flight data, radar records, and the physical wreckage. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, the airfield's markings, and the regulatory oversight of the aerodrome. Investigators analyzed the cockpit environment, noting that the pilot's attention was likely diverted by prominent white markings on the pavement preceding the runway threshold, which did not meet standard specifications.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the accident. The primary cause was that the pilot failed to correct the approach angle by increasing engine power and did not execute a missed approach. Additionally, the pilot did not monitor the airspeed during the final approach, leading the aircraft into a stalled state during the flare.
Contributing factors included:
- The approach was not stabilized and was not aborted despite deteriorating parameters.
- The pilot failed to notice the red PAPI indication and did not respond to the stall warning.
- The high workload caused by rapidly changing approach parameters likely exceeded the pilot's performance limits.
- The runway markings and lighting at the aerodrome did not comply with required standards, and the airfield's published charts did not accurately reflect the physical condition of the area preceding the runway.