What happened
On August 21, 2015, at 17:15 local time, a Cessna 172, registration HB-CKU, was performing a private VFR flight from Buttwil to Wangen-Lachen. During the landing phase on runway 26, the aircraft approached the runway at an excessive speed. The aircraft initially touched down near the center of the runway, but a second impact occurred approximately 50 meters further down the strip. As the aircraft reached the end of the runway, it drifted to the right onto the grass area and eventually tipped into the adjacent lake while nearly at a standstill.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the landing parameters and the sequence of events leading to the excursion. Investigators examined the flight conditions, the aircraft's performance, and the specific touchdown points on the runway to determine why the aircraft failed to stop within the paved surface.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the excessive approach speed during the landing phase.
- The aircraft experienced a dual touchdown, with the second contact occurring significantly further down the runway than the first.
- The aircraft sustained light damage to the propeller, spinner, and left wing.
- There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft's movement resulted in it entering the water.