What happened
On June 17, 1970, a Beagle Pup 121, registration HB-NAL, was performing a local flight when it approached Zurich Airport for landing. The aircraft touched down on grass runway 28 but failed to decelerate sufficiently within the runway limits. The aircraft continued past the runway threshold, traversing the end of the strip and crossing a taxiway that ran perpendicular to the runway axis. The sequence concluded when the aircraft entered a small ditch and came to rest in a nearby meadow.
There were no injuries reported among the pilot or the two passengers on board. However, the aircraft sustained heavy damage during the excursion.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the aircraft's inability to stop on the landing strip. A specific focus was placed on the mechanical possibility of braking the aircraft effectively. The inquiry noted that even if the pilot had been able to fully retract the brake pedals to accommodate their leg length, it remained highly uncertain whether the aircraft could have been brought to a halt before reaching the end of the runway.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a landing that was too long.
- The aircraft's momentum carried it across the runway end and through a taxiway before it was stopped by the terrain.