What happened
On June 16, 1970, a Piper Super-Cub, registration HB-OYB, was engaged in a training flight at Beromünster airfield. During the approach for a landing, the pilot touched down near the left edge of the runway. In an attempt to execute a go-around, the pilot applied power, but the aircraft began to veer toward the left side of the strip. As the aircraft moved off the paved surface, it rolled through tall grass and eventually entered a drainage ditch running parallel to the runway.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the landing and subsequent go-around attempt. Investigators examined the aircraft's path from the point of touchdown to its final position in the water ditch. The examination established that the aircraft's trajectory was heavily influenced by the initial landing position near the runway boundary.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was that the pilot landed too close to the left edge of the runway.
- The subsequent go-around maneuver failed to maintain directional control, causing the aircraft to drift further into the tall grass.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the event.
- The pilot remained uninjured.