What happened
On October 2, 2023, a student pilot was conducting solo circuit training at the Oerlinghausen aerodrome in a Diamond DA20-C1. During the landing phase on runway 22, the aircraft approached with excessive speed. The aircraft initially touched down near the halfway marker, but due to the high velocity, it lifted off again before settling back onto the runway.
As the aircraft continued down the runway, it overran the end of the paved surface and drifted toward a hangar. The pilot attempted to use the brakes, but the aircraft's momentum carried it into the wall of a hangar, causing significant damage to the aircraft and the structure. The pilot sustained serious injuries, including a broken leg and pelvic bruising.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined the flight sequence, the aircraft's configuration, and the pilot's training status. The investigation established that the flight instructor, who was observing from the tower, noted the high approach speed but was unable to issue a go-around command because the radio frequency was occupied by a glider pilot at the critical moment.
Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's mechanical condition and found no evidence of technical failure. The investigation focused on the pilot's configuration of the flaps, which were found in the takeoff position rather than the landing position, and the impact of the runway's downward slope on the pilot's perception of altitude.