Incident Details
On 30 August 2015 at 12:19 local time, a Piper PA-28-181 Archer II, registration HB-PCB, was landing at Flugfeld Speck-Fehraltorf (LSZK) when it inadvertently touched down on a stubble field parallel to runway 12. The field's coloration, in combination with the backlight conditions, caused the pilot to perceive it as the runway.
Sequence of Events
During the landing roll on the stubble field, the pilot noticed the actual runway alongside and steered the aircraft toward it to avoid uneven terrain. While crossing the furrow between the field and the runway, the nose gear collapsed, bringing the aircraft to a stop. The propeller and the leading edge of the left wing sustained damage.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The privately owned aircraft was operated under private VFR flight rules. The pilot, a Swiss citizen born in 1946, held a Private Pilot License (PPL) with 1,575 total flight hours, including 1,000 hours on the accident type. The pilot's recent flying experience included 25 hours in the previous 90 days.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained damage to the nose landing gear, propeller, and left wing. No third-party damage occurred. The pilot and two passengers exited the aircraft without injury.