Background
On 6 July 1990, two aircraft were operating in the vicinity of Birrfeld Airport, Switzerland. The Cessna F-152, registered HB-CFV, was returning from a private pilot examination flight with a student pilot and an examiner on board. Simultaneously, the Piper PA-32R "Saratoga", registered HB-PES, was conducting full-power circuits with a pilot receiving instruction from flight instructor A, along with three passengers.
Flight History
The Cessna approached the airport via the entry circle and entered the right downwind leg for runway 26. The Piper had departed earlier and was also performing circuits. Both aircraft converged on final approach to runway 26, with the Piper initially higher and behind the Cessna.
Collision
During the final approach, the faster Piper overtook the Cessna from behind. The Piper's propeller struck the tail of the Cessna, partially severing the empennage. The Cessna entered a spiral descent and crashed approximately 400 meters before the runway threshold. The Piper, after the collision, executed a go-around and landed safely on runway 26.
Aftermath
The Cessna was destroyed and its two occupants sustained fatal injuries. The Piper was damaged but all five occupants were uninjured. Minor ground damage occurred in the field where the Cessna impacted.
Cause
The collision was attributed to insufficient airspace surveillance, particularly by the crew of the Piper.
Contributing Factors
Several factors contributed to the accident:
- Lack of traffic information
- Inadequate and overly tight circuit patterns
- Restricted outward visibility from both aircraft, especially the Piper
- Limited experience of the flight instructor on the Piper Saratoga
- Absence of position reports by pilots of both aircraft
Recommendations
The investigation board recommended: 1. Review the circuit system at Birrfeld, particularly to separate slower and faster aircraft. 2. Strict enforcement of AFIS regulations, with consideration of positive ground control.