What happened
On May 4, 2012, at approximately 17:00 local time, a Ruschmeyer R90-230RG single-engine propeller aircraft crashed while attempting to land on runway 22 at Eindhoven Airport. The aircraft was conducting a private flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) as part of a charity flight for the Stichting Hoogvliegers, carrying a pilot and three passengers, including two children.
After flying north from the airport, the pilot contacted the tower to request an approach from the northwest. Following instructions for a 'threshold base leg' approach, the pilot reported being on the upwind leg and later indicated that the runway was in sight. Upon receiving landing clearance, the pilot initiated a right turn toward the downwind leg. During this maneuver, the aircraft drifted left of the runway centerline. As the pilot attempted to correct the course, the aircraft entered a steep bank, causing the right wingtip to strike the ground. The aircraft subsequently crashed near the runway, resulting in the total destruction of the airframe. The pilot sustained serious injuries, while the three passengers suffered minor injuries.
The investigation
The Dutch Safety Board (OVV) conducted a technical examination of the wreckage and analyzed security camera footage using digital photogrammetry to reconstruct the final 18 seconds of the flight path. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was within manufacturer weight limits and that all landing gear components were properly extended and locked. The engine and flight controls showed no signs of mechanical failure or discontinuity.
Analysis of the flight parameters revealed that the aircraft's airspeed decreased from 120 knots to approximately 60 knots during the maneuver. The investigation also noted that the flaps were set to 15 degrees, whereas the flight manual recommends 30 degrees for landing. Meteorological data indicated a 10-knot tailwind from 300 degrees, which increased the aircraft's ground speed on the upwind leg.
Findings
- The pilot initiated the turn to the final approach too late, failing to account for the tailwind which caused the aircraft to overshoot the runway centerline.
- The aircraft entered an unrecoverable stall due to the combination of a high roll angle, low airspeed, and an insufficient flap configuration during the corrective maneuver.