What happened
On May 16, 1968, at approximately 09:45 CEST, a Bölkow-Junior 208, registration HB-UXP, was performing a series of training circuits at Bad Ragaz aerodrome. The pilot had been conducting several five-minute flight segments. During the third landing of the sequence, the aircraft encountered a light crosswind, resulting in a landing with significant rudder deflection. This caused the aircraft to land with a side-slip tendency, leading to a strong tendency to veer during the landing roll.
Following a subsequent takeoff and circuit, the pilot attempted a fourth landing. Upon touchdown, the nose and main landing gear made contact with the runway at approximately the same time. Immediately upon impact, the nose gear strut failed, causing the aircraft to nose over.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft, which was owned by the Motorfluggruppe Chur, and confirmed it possessed a valid registration. The pilot held a valid private pilot license with approximately 60 total flight hours. Weather conditions at the time were reported as lightly cloudy with light, variable winds.
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the nose gear following the third landing. Because the nose gear on this model is linked to the rudder, the high degree of rudder deflection used to compensate for the crosswind during the third landing caused the nose wheel to turn sharply. This resulted in a heavy impact with the ground.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was inappropriate landing technique during crosswind conditions.
- The nose gear strut likely suffered structural damage or a fracture during the third landing due to the heavy impact caused by the turned nose wheel.
- The failure of the nose gear strut during the fourth landing was the direct result of this pre-existing damage.
- The accident resulted in no injuries to the pilot, though the Bölkow-Junior 208 sustained heavy damage to the nose gear, propeller, and left wing.