What happened
On June 6, 2009, a Cessna 182R, registration HB-CFS, was performing a series of short passenger sightseeing flights at Beromünster airfield. During the final flight of the day, the pilot attempted to land on the left grass runway (34 left). Due to the wet surface and a tailwind of up to 12 knots, the aircraft landed long, halfway down the runway. After applying brakes, the pilot initiated a go-around.
As the aircraft lifted off just before the end of the runway, it entered a high angle of attack and failed to climb. The aircraft descended into a grain field approximately 250 meters beyond the runway end, striking the ground with its tail and main landing gear before flipping onto its back. The pilot and one passenger were wearing seatbelts and escaped the wreckage, but the two passengers in the rear seats were unbelted. All four occupants sustained light injuries.
The investigation
SUST examined the wreckage, engine components, and meteorological data. Investigators found that the engine was not in optimal condition; specifically, the right magneto was producing irregular sparks due to a faulty capacitor, and the carburetor float level was incorrectly regulated. Additionally, the carburetor heat remained engaged during the go-around, which restricted available power.
Regarding the flight controls, while the pilot stated she retracted the flaps to 20 degrees during the go-around, the wreckage showed the flaps in the fully retracted position. Investigators also noted that the pilot's decision to use the left runway involved a tailwind, and the pressure to complete the flight schedule contributed to a stressful environment.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of control following a late go-around performed in a tailwind.
- Contributing factors included improper use of aircraft controls and the degraded technical condition of the engine.
- The use of carburetor heat during the go-around further reduced engine performance.
- The pilot's decision to land on a runway with a tailwind increased the difficulty of the maneuver.
- The rear passengers were not wearing seatbelts during the commercial operation.