What happened
On July 6, 1963, a Jodel DR-1050, registration HB-EBS, arrived at Bern-Belpmoos airport following a flight from Prangins. The flight, which included one passenger, proceeded normally through the approach and touchdown phases on asphalt runway 32.
During the landing roll, the aircraft began to drift slightly to the left. The pilot attempted to maintain the centerline using rudder inputs but did not engage the wheel brakes. These steering corrections became increasingly aggressive, resulting in severe zigzagging motions. Eventually, the aircraft veering sharply to the right, causing the main landing gear struts to collapse. The aircraft came to a halt after rotating approximately 180 degrees from its original landing heading.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's experience and the aircraft's mechanical state. The pilot held a private pilot license and had approximately 90 total flight hours, though only about 6.75 hours had been completed in the HB-EBS. Notably, the pilot had limited experience operating on paved runways, having primarily flown on grass strips.
Physical inspection of the aircraft revealed that both main landing gear struts had buckled laterally. Additionally, the wooden propeller sustained damage to both blade tips, the trailing edge of the left flap was damaged, and the structural integrity of the left wing was compromised, evidenced by undulations in the fabric covering. No injuries were reported among the occupants.
Findings
- The pilot was accustomed to operating on grass runways, which require different rudder techniques than paved surfaces.
- The pilot applied excessive rudder corrections while attempting to counteract the initial leftward drift.
- These overcorrections led to a loss of directional control, resulting in the ground excursion and subsequent gear collapse.