Incident Overview
On May 14, 2019, at 14:51 local time, a Cessna F172P registered as HB-CGF was involved in an accident at Flugplatz Beromünster (LSZO) in Switzerland. The flight was a training mission conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The aircraft suffered heavy damage after impacting the ground short of the runway.
Operational Context and Crew
The aircraft was operated by Flubag Flugbetriebs AG. On board were two individuals: a Swiss national pilot born in 1959 holding a Private Pilot Licence, and a flight instructor born in 1952. The pilot had recently renewed his commercial privileges and was undertaking training flights to prepare for a skill test. This was the first time the pilot and instructor had flown together.
Flight Narrative
The crew took off from Runway 33 at 14:07 local time. During the flight, the pilot conducted navigation and maneuvers independently despite turbulent conditions and a two-year hiatus from flying. Upon returning to the airport for landing training, the pilot managed the approach sequence correctly, including gear deployment and flap extension.
Accident Sequence
During the final approach, the pilot noted increasing wind strength. The aircraft speed varied between 60 and 70 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS). Due to crosswind, the pilot banked right into the wind. As the aircraft reached a short final segment requiring a left turn followed by a right turn to align with the runway, the wind intensified. The pilot reduced power and began to level out. Suddenly, the aircraft experienced a rapid sink rate. The instructor took control of the throttle to full power and applied back pressure on the elevator, but the descent could not be arrested.
The Cessna struck the ground hard with its main and nose gear in a barley field located 65 meters before the threshold of Runway 33. The aircraft overturned in the dense crop and came to rest on its belly approximately 35 meters from the runway start. Both occupants exited the damaged aircraft independently without injury. No fire or fuel spillage occurred.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the accident, the weather was dry and partly sunny with moderate bise winds. The wind was reported from 050 degrees at 10 knots with gusts up to 18 knots. Visibility was 20 km, and the temperature was 11°C. The investigation noted that turbulence associated with the bise was present in the area.
Investigation Findings
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) found no technical defects or mechanical failures contributing to the accident. The aircraft's mass and center of gravity were within limits specified by the Aircraft Flight Manual. The primary factor identified was the loss of control during landing due to adverse meteorological conditions, specifically increasing wind and turbulence.