What happened
On 14 March 2011, an Eclipse 50 and00 (registration N177EA) was performing a private flight from Innsbruck to Saanen aerodrome. The flight, which included the pilot and four passengers, transitioned from instrument flight rules to visual flight rules during the descent.
As the aircraft established its final approach for runway 26, the pilot observed an airport de-icing vehicle positioned on the runway. Although the pilot was informed via the aerodrome frequency that the vehicle would vacate the runway immediately, the aircraft continued the approach. The pilot landed just beyond the displaced threshold. During the landing roll, the pilot applied heavy braking, causing the main gear tires to burst. Despite attempts to steer away, the aircraft's left engine and fuselage struck the spray arm of the de-icer. The collision occurred at a speed of approximately 30 to 40 knots, leaving the aircraft 130 meters short of the runway end. There were no injuries to the five occupants of the aircraft or the vehicle crew.
The investigation
The Swiss Accident Investigation Board examined the flight data, aircraft maintenance records, and pilot training history. The investigation reviewed the aircraft's performance capabilities, noting that the N177EA was not equipped with an anti-skid system. Investigators also analyzed the runway occupancy procedures in place at Saanen at the time of the accident, specifically focusing on the coordination between the airport operating company and the crew operating the de-icing equipment.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the decision to land while a vehicle remained on the runway.
- The pilot maintained an excessively high approach speed, which significantly increased the required landing distance.
- The pilot had limited recent experience operating this specific aircraft type and had little recent practice with short-field landings.
- A systemic failure was identified in the airport's runway occupancy concept, which lacked adequate communication and safety safeguards for non-aeronautical activities on the runway.
Safety action
Following the incident, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) coordinated several safety improvements with the aerodrome, including the introduction of mandatory pilot briefings for PPR requests, stricter controls on runway access, and enhanced instructions for personnel regarding runway security and pilot notification.