What happened
On the afternoon of the accident, a Cessna 551 Citation II/SP departed Reichelsheim Airfield, Germany, as part of a training program intended to secure a type rating. The crew consisted of a flight instructor acting as the pilot in command and a student pilot serving as the pilot flying. Following several precision approaches to runway 31, air traffic control directed the aircraft to use runway 13 due to shifting wind conditions. After a repositioning takeoff from runway 13, the crew performed a left-hand circuit at 3,500 ft AMSL.
During the final approach to runway 13 under visual flight conditions, the student pilot noted a reduction in airspeed and a low approach angle. In an attempt to correct the descent, both the student and the instructor advanced the engine thrust levers to their maximum position. However, the engines were unable to accelerate sufficiently before the aircraft reached the runway. The instructor noted that the aircraft was operating near the stall margin, though no stall warning was heard.
At 14:42, the aircraft touched down on the grass area preceding the asphalt of runway 13. The impact caused the left and right main landing gear to buckle, which subsequently damaged the fuel tank in the left wing. This resulted in a fuel leak that ignited, causing a fire. The aircraft slid approximately 730 meters along the runway, with the airframe and flaps dragging along the surface. After the aircraft stopped, the crew shut down the engines and evacuated through the right-side emergency exit. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries reported among the crew.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a loss of airspeed during the final approach phase.
- Insufficient engine acceleration time prevented the necessary thrust from being generated to maintain the approach profile.
- The buckling of the landing gear led to the rupture of the left wing fuel tank, resulting in the post-crash fire.