What happened
On January 10, 2005, a student pilot was conducting solo flight training at Beromünster airfield. After completing several training exercises, the pilot attempted a series of touch-and-go landings in a Reims Aviation F152, registration HB-CCF.
The aircraft landed within the first 150 meters of the grass runway. Upon applying full power for the subsequent takeoff, the pilot noted that the aircraft was not accelerating sufficiently to reach rotation speed. The pilot then initiated an aborted takeoff. While the aircraft had crossed a transverse road on the runway, the pilot applied heavy braking on a section of the strip that was notably softer and deeper. This caused the nose wheel to dig into the soft ground, leading the aircraft to nose over and capsize at a low speed. The pilot escaped the aircraft without injury, but the aircraft was a total loss.
The investigation
An investigation by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (SUST) examined the aircraft, the runway conditions, and the pilot's training history. Investigators found that the grass runway was soft, which required specific takeoff techniques to maintain momentum. The investigation also noted that the section of the runway beyond the transverse road was unusable during wet conditions, though it had not been marked with the required cross on this occasion.
Technical examination of the Reims Aviation F152 revealed no mechanical failures or engine power loss. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's recent flight experience, noting that the student had only performed four landings in the preceding three months and had not practiced touch-and-go maneuvers for over four months.