Casualties unknown

2009-06-06: REIMS AVIATION S.A. F150L (HB-CFS) — Beromünster Flugplatz LSZO, LU, CH

Beromünster Flugplatz LSZO, LU, CH

On June 6, 2009, a REIMS AVIATION S.A. F150L (registration HB-CFS) was involved in an aviation accident near Beromünster Flugplatz LSZO, LU, CH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was due to a loss of control following a too-late go-around in the presence of tailwind, which led to impact with the ground. This summary draws on records from the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST).

Sourcesthe Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST)Primary reportUpdated 1785034239Data APIEditorial standards

On 6 June 2009, a Cessna 182R (HB-CFS) performed a go-around after a long landing with tailwind at Beromünster. The aircraft lost control and crashed, resulting in light injuries to all four occupants and aircraft destruction.

Flight Details

On 6 June 2009, a Cessna CE 182R, registration HB-CFS, operated by Flubag Flugbetriebs AG, was conducting commercial VFR passenger flights from Beromünster airfield. The pilot, a Swiss citizen born in 1953, held a commercial pilot licence with a single-engine piston rating. The aircraft had accumulated 4028:59 hours total time since new and 2582:54 hours on the engine since new, with 859:14 hours since overhaul.

Accident Sequence

The pilot made the fifth flight of the day with three passengers, departing at 10:50 LT on runway 34 right. After a short flight over Lake Sempach, she entered the circuit for runway 34 left. The wind was from the south at 4-8 kt with gusts up to 12 kt, resulting in a tailwind. The landing on runway 34 left was long, touching down after about half the runway length. The right main landing gear wheel was observed to lock. The pilot initiated a go-around by applying takeoff power and retracting flaps to 20°. The aircraft lifted off shortly before the end of the runway and initially climbed a few meters. It then flew over a meadow, progressively pitched up without gaining altitude, and sank back into a field 250 m past the runway end, first hitting with the tail and then the main landing gear. The pilot stated: "I saw that I would not clear the field and therefore pitched the aircraft more and more." A flight instructor heard the engine roar, saw the aircraft lift off, then pulled up and impact in a steep nose-high attitude. The left main wheel and nose wheel were torn off, and the aircraft flipped over onto its back coming to rest 25 m from the first impact.

Injuries and Damage

All four occupants sustained minor injuries. The pilot and front-right passenger's seat belts held; the two rear passengers were not wearing seat belts. The aircraft was destroyed.

Weather and Aircraft

At the time, weather included light rain, visibility about 5 km, clouds at 2300 ft AMSL and above. The wind was from the south at 4-8 kt with gusts to 12 kt. Aircraft weight and center of gravity were within limits. Fuel was found to meet AVGAS 100LL specifications. The engine's technical condition was noted as a contributing factor in the accident.

Investigation

The Swiss Accident Investigation Board (SUST) investigated. The pilot had 1074:57 total flight hours, with 175:35 on type. In the previous 90 days, she had flown 6:52 total and 6:07 on type.

Probable cause

The accident was due to a loss of control following a too-late go-around in the presence of tailwind, which led to impact with the ground. Inappropriate use of controls and the aircraft as well as the technical condition of the engine contributed to the accident.

Investigation report by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST). Original record: https://www.sust.admin.ch/inhalte/AV-berichte/2130.pdf. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB), Switzerland.