Serious incident Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow III , Thursday 12 April 2018

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Date:	Thursday 12 April 2018
Time:	15:59 LT
Type:	Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow III
Owner/operator:
Registration:
MSN:
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	None
Category:	Serious incident
Location:	Graz (LOWG) - Austria
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Vöslau Airport (LOAV)
Destination airport:	Klagenfurt Airport (KLU/LOWK)
Investigating agency:	UUS Austria
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
A Piper PA-28 and Bombardier CRJ-900 were involved in a serious incident at Graz Airport, Austria. During the flight of the PA-28 from Vöslau Airport (LOAV) to Klagenfurt Airport (LOWK) the electrical system failed. The radio contact between the PA-28 and the air traffic control could not be maintained and the pilot of the PA-28 decided for a forced landing at Graz Airport. The landing took place without direct communication with the control tower at Graz Airport on runway 35C, while the CRJ-900 aircraft was on approach to the active runway 17C. The pilots of the CRJ-900 received instructions from the control tower of Graz Airport to take off immediately. The second landing approach of the CRJ-900 on runway 35C could be carried out without further incident.

Probable causes
- Incomplete knowledge of the relevant procedures at Graz Airport in the event of failure of the radiotelephony connection.
Probable factors:
- Conscious flight planning in marginal weather conditions
- Failure of on-board electrical system due to deactivated alternator
- Failure to use appropriate emergency checklists.
- Gradual increase in mental stress, characterised by failure of the on-board electrical system, deterioration in the weather, communication difficulties and a lack of system and procedural knowledge.
- Non-availability of a primary radar system at Graz Airport

Accident investigation: