What happened
On August 19, 2016, a pilot operating a Dewoitine D.26, registration HB-RAG, conducted a reconnaissance flight from Grenchen to the temporary airfield at Wittinsburg/BL. The purpose of the flight was to assess the conditions for the upcoming Wittinsburg flying days. After flying over Eptingen at 3,500 ft AMSL, the pilot entered a left-hand pattern for runway 10, following another aircraft.
Upon observing favorable conditions at the airfield, the pilot attempted a landing on runway 10. The initial approach was too high, prompting a go-around and a second attempt. During the second approach, the pilot reported an approach speed of 120 km/h. While the pilot believed the aircraft touched down at the start of the runway, eyewitnesses on the ground observed the aircraft landing approximately one-third of the way down the 400-meter grass strip. Due to the remaining distance being insufficient to decelerate on the damp grass, the aircraft overran the end of the runway at approximately 10 km/h. The aircraft then overturned in an adjacent cornfield.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the landing sequence and the braking performance on the grass surface. Investigators examined the aircraft's technical condition and the environmental factors present at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures that contributed to the insufficient deceleration.
Findings
- The aircraft touched down much further down the runway than intended, leaving inadequate distance for stopping.
- The damp grass surface contributed to the lack of braking effectiveness.
- The accident resulted in one person being slightly injured.
- The aircraft sustained damage including a broken propeller, a dent in the right wing leading edge, a dent in the upper vertical stabilizer, and scrapes on the left upper wing fabric.