High-speed landing on wet grass leads to excursion at Birrfeld

Casualties unknown • Birrfeld Flugplatz (LSZF), AG, CH

A Piper PA-28-180 overran the grass runway at Birrfeld airfield after encountering heavy rain, resulting in structural damage to the aircraft.

What happened

On September 20, 1965, a Piper PA-28-180, registration OE-DPS, was operating a VFR flight from Geneva to Munich in a formation with two other aircraft. Due to deteriorating weather conditions, the pilot decided to divert to Birrfeld airfield for an intermediate landing.

While performing the approach, the pilot encountered a sudden, intense rain shower that severely obscured visibility. To avoid losing sight of the airfield, the pilot executed a very tight turn into the pattern. The aircraft touched down on the wet grass runway approximately 236 meters from the start of the strip. Despite the application of brakes, the pilot was unable to stop the aircraft on the slippery surface. The aircraft continued down the runway, crossed a small embankment, and jumped over the adjacent main road. During this excursion, the aircraft struck an earth mound, causing significant damage to the landing gear and wing.

The investigation

SUST examined the flight sequence, the weather conditions at the time of the accident, and the physical characteristics of the airfield. The investigation noted that the pilot intended to perform a long approach to allow for a controlled landing using engine power, but the sudden weather change forced a much shorter and more aggressive maneuver. Investigators also analyzed the braking performance on the wet grass and compared the roll distance of OE-DPS with the other two aircraft in the formation, which landed successfully without overrunning the runway.

Findings

The pilot was forced to execute a very tight turn into the airfield due to a heavy rain shower that eliminated forward visibility.
The aircraft approached and touched down at a speed that was too high for the short remaining runway distance.
The wet grass surface significantly reduced the effectiveness of the braking system.
The combination of high touchdown speed and reduced braking friction caused the aircraft to exceed the available runway length and collide with an obstacle.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot's need to perform a steep, tight turn to maintain visual contact with the airfield during a heavy rain shower, which resulted in an approach speed that was too high for the available runway length, compounded by insufficient braking action on the wet grass.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1965-09-20 PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION PA-28-151 CHEROKEE accident near Birrfeld Flugplatz (LSZF), AG, CH?

A Piper PA-28-180 overran the grass runway at Birrfeld airfield after encountering heavy rain, resulting in structural damage to the aircraft.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1965-09-20 involved a PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION PA-28-151 CHEROKEE, registration OE-DPS, at Birrfeld Flugplatz (LSZF), AG, CH.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's need to perform a steep, tight turn to maintain visual contact with the airfield during a heavy rain shower, which resulted in an approach speed that was too high for the available runway length, compounded by insufficient braking action on the wet grass.

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