What happened
On June 27, 2024, a Columbia 400 departed from Münster-Osnabrück for a flight to Rendsburg-Schachtholm. During the cruise phase, the pilot maintained an altitude of approximately 1,500 ft AGL, noting that no contact with thunderstorms was made during the flight.
Upon approaching runway 03 at Rendsburg-Schachtholm, the pilot touched down just past the runway half-way marker and applied the brakes. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear drifted off the paved surface. The aircraft re-entered the runway approximately 190 meters before the end of the strip, but ultimately overran the runway end and overturned. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the aircraft was heavily damaged.
The investigation
The BFU examined the wreckage, which was located approximately 40 meters beyond the end of runway 03 in a grassy area. Investigators found the aircraft resting on its back with the nose pointing away from the approach direction. The nose gear had broken off, and the propeller blades were bent longitudinally.
Physical evidence on the runway indicated that the left main gear left tracks in the grass starting about 380 meters before the runway end. Braking marks from the right main gear were identified on the asphalt approximately 300 meters before the runway end. From 190 meters before the runway end, continuous braking marks from both main gears were present on the asphalt, followed by an asymmetrical track from the gear leading into the grass toward the final wreckage position. The landing flaps were found in the landing position, and the engine controls were found in the "start" position.
Findings
- The aircraft veered off the runway due to the left main landing gear leaving the paved surface after touchdown.
- The runway surface was described as wet or damp following the passage of local thunderstorms.
- The aircraft's nose gear failed upon impact with the terrain, and the propeller sustained significant damage.