What happened
On August 30, 2007, a Commander 114B, registration D-ESHB, was conducting a VFR flight from Foligno to the Castiadas airfield in Sardinia. The aircraft was carrying three occupants, including the pilot and two passengers. After performing several low passes to assess wind conditions and obstacles, the pilot initiated an approach to runway 01, which involved a tailwind component.
During the final stages of the approach, the pilot executed a go-around (riattaccata). While climbing at a very low altitude, the aircraft entered a sharp left turn near a high-voltage power line pylon alongside the SS 125 road. The aircraft performed a 270-degree arc at extremely low altitude before the nose dropped and the aircraft impacted the ground. The impact occurred on the main landing gear, causing the aircraft to slide 35 meters before coming to rest against a drainage ditch. A post-impact fire destroyed the airframe. All three fatalities were confirmed, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the missed approach and the environmental constraints of the airfield. Investigators examined the aircraft's configuration, noting that the pilot had not retracted the landing gear or reconfigured the aircraft for climb following the go-around. The investigation also reviewed the physical characteristics of the Castiadas airfield, finding that the actual usable runway length was shorter than documented and that the surrounding terrain, including nearby hills and power lines, created significant obstacles for standard approach paths.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of control due to an aerodynamic stall caused by insufficient airspeed during the go-around.
- The pilot failed to maintain adequate altitude separation from the ground during the maneuver.
- The pilot's SEP (Single Engine Piston) rating had expired seven months prior to the accident.
- The approach was conducted with a tailwind, likely due to the challenging terrain at the northern end of the airfield.
- The pilot lacked direct experience with the specific environmental and topographical challenges of the Castiadas airfield.
- The airfield presented several operational hazards, including nearby hills, high-voltage power lines, and inconsistent runway markings.