Introduction
On 19 September 2014, at approximately 16:13 UTC, a Piper PA-28-181, operated by a motor flight club, experienced a runway excursion during landing at Friesach/Hirt Airfield (LOKH) in Carinthia, Austria. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR). The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and exited the aircraft unaided. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Factual Information
The flight originated from Krems Langenlois Airfield at approximately 14:37 UTC. The pilot performed a pre-flight inspection in accordance with the flight manual without any discrepancies. After a flight time of about 1 hour 15 minutes, the pilot approached Friesach/Hirt from the north at 4000 ft, then overflew the field from south to north at 3000 ft before initiating an approach to Runway 17.
During final approach, the pilot extended the flaps to 40° and reduced speed to approximately 70–80 knots. The aircraft floated over the runway and touched down at about half the runway length. After touchdown, braking did not produce sufficient deceleration. The pilot then decided to execute a go-around, reducing flaps to 25° and applying maximum power. The aircraft became airborne again approximately 30 meters before a cornfield but collided with corn plants about 2 meters above the ground. The aircraft came to rest about 75 meters past the threshold of Runway 35.
The runway (17/35) is a 707 m long, 30 m wide grass strip with an elevation of 615 m. The usable landing distance for Runway 17 was 500 m, and the surface was wet at the time. The pilot held a valid PPL(A) with SEP rating and had a total flight experience of about 336 hours. The aircraft, built in 1988, had accumulated about 5037 hours. Its weight and balance were within limits. Examination revealed no pre-existing technical defects. No flight recorder was installed or required. No weather conditions were recorded at the airfield; nearby stations reported light winds and temperatures around 20°C.
Analysis
The investigation determined that the approach was conducted with an increased speed combined with an incorrect aiming point, resulting in a touchdown about 200 meters past the displaced threshold of Runway 17. The wet grass surface significantly increased the landing roll distance, making it impossible to stop before the end of the runway. The go-around was initiated too late to prevent the collision with the cornfield.
Meteorological factors were excluded as a cause. The pilot held valid licenses and medical certificate, with no evidence of impairment. All damage was consistent with the impact sequence.
Conclusions
The accident was due to an increased approach speed combined with an incorrect touchdown point, caused by the wet surface condition of the runway and a go-around initiated too late.