Introduction
On 9 August 1993, at 1107 hours local time, a Piper PA-28-236 "Dakota" (registration HB-PDE) was involved in an accident at the Speck-Fehraltdorf airfield in Switzerland. The aircraft was operated by Fluggruppe Mollis and was being used for a yearly check flight. The crew consisted of a pilot and a flight instructor; both were holders of valid licenses. The aircraft was substantially damaged, but both occupants remained uninjured.
Flight History
The flight was part of a scheduled annual check. The planned route included dual and solo circuits at Mollis, followed by a landing at Wangen-Lachen, then a landing at Speck-Fehraltdorf, and a return to Mollis. Prior to departure from Wangen-Lachen, the instructor telephoned Speck to inquire about weather conditions and was informed that the weather was fine and Runway 30 was in use with almost no wind.
Upon arrival at Speck-Fehraltdorf, the pilot entered the traffic pattern via reporting point ECHO and was cleared for Runway 30. The windsock was limp, indicating a slight tailwind of about 2 knots. The pilot turned onto final approach earlier than usual, resulting in a high approach. The instructor noted this, and the pilot lowered the nose to correct the glide path.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft touched down approximately 200 to 250 meters past the runway threshold (50 to 100 meters beyond the red go-around marking). Braking was ineffective due to residual lift, and one of the pilots applied full power for a go-around. To avoid a cyclist crossing the runway on a public road beyond the airfield boundary, the pilot abruptly pulled back on the elevator control. The aircraft briefly lifted off, then stalled over the left wing, slid across a grass area, and came to a stop in a cornfield after rotating 90 degrees.
Investigation Findings
Investigators found no technical defects in the aircraft. The weather was clear with a light tailwind. The pilot, seated in the left seat, held a private pilot license, while the instructor, in the right seat, held a commercial pilot license with a flight instructor rating. The pilot was flying into Speck-Fehraltdorf for the first time.
Causes
The accident was attributed to:
- An approach that was too high and too fast;
- Failure to execute a go-around after overflying the go-around marking;
- A delayed go-around on the ground due to unclear task distribution between the pilot and the instructor.