What happened
On Sunday, August 3, 1997, at 11:49 local time, a Beechcraft BE V 35, registered HB-EFI, was performing a private flight near the Basel Mulhouse airport. While flying over runway 16, the aircraft appeared to be experiencing an electrical failure, prompting the pilot to execute a go-around.
Following the missed approach, the aircraft performed three 360-degree turns at an altitude of approximately 300 feet above the control tower, maintaining a high bank angle. After receiving continuous clearance to land, the aircraft transitioned into a very low-altitude downwind pattern, passing within 250 meters of the runway. As the aircraft approached the runway threshold, air traffic controllers observed the plane entering a very steep bank. At an altitude of approximately 50 meters, the aircraft entered a stall, struck the ground, and subsequently caught fire to the right of the runway. The landing gear was extended and the flaps were set to the first notch at the time of the accident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path and the aircraft's configuration during the final maneuvers. Investigators examined the sequence of turns performed after the go-around and the aircraft's behavior during the low-altitude downwind leg. The investigation also considered the reported electrical issues that may have influenced the pilot's decision to abort the initial landing attempt.