Accident Summary
On 8 July 2004 at 09:17 local time, a Robin DR 400-180R aircraft, registration HB-EXW, collided with a cyclist shortly after landing on runway 07 R at Buochs airfield. The aircraft was returning from towing a glider. The cyclist crossed the runway from a cross street that was secured by a barrier. The cyclist sustained fatal injuries, the pilot was not injured, and the aircraft was substantially damaged.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Robin DR 400-180R owned and operated by Segelfluggruppe Nidwalden. The pilot held a Class 2 medical certificate issued on 27 April 2004 with the restriction "must wear glasses." He had completed a towing check flight on 18 June 2004 at Courtelary airfield, which was recorded as satisfactory. During a glider training camp from 5 to 16 July 2004 at Buochs, the pilot was assigned as a tow pilot on 7 and 8 July.
Sequence of Events
On 7 July 2004, the pilot performed glider towing operations. On 8 July, he conducted a glider tow. After releasing the glider, he landed on runway 07 R. Upon touchdown, the aircraft struck a cyclist who had entered the runway from a cross street protected by a barrier. The cyclist had been riding on the cross street and crossed the runway despite the barrier.
Contributing Factors
The investigation identified the following contributing factors: inconsistent handling of the results of a check flight, limited visual perception capability of the pilot, inadequate operating procedures for gliding operations at the airfield, and low attention of the cyclist.
Aftermath
The accident was reported to the cantonal police at 09:24. The investigation was opened later that day in cooperation with the police. The Bureau for Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) determined the cause to be the collision during landing with a cyclist crossing the runway.