What happened
On March 6, 1983, at 16:50, a Piper PA-18-150, registration CS-AQN, was performing a local flight at the José Ferrinho Aerodrome in Leiria, Portugal. The aircraft, operated by Aeroclube de Leiria, was on its landing roll on runway 02 following a routine flight.
As the aircraft reached the end of the landing roll, it veered to the right and struck a barrier located on the eastern edge of the runway. The impact occurred at a reduced speed. The pilot and one passenger were both uninjured during the incident.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the crew's qualifications, and the environmental factors at the time of the accident. Investigators inspected the control cables, rudder mechanisms, and braking systems, finding no mechanical deterioration or defects in the engine or flight controls. The aircraft was found to be properly certified, equipped, and maintained according to regulations.
Meteorological data indicated CAVOK conditions with winds from 060° at 8 knots and 090° at 10 knots. The investigation also analyzed the physical evidence on the runway, noting a single tire track corresponding to the right main gear, which indicated the aircraft's path of deviation.
Findings
- The aircraft was in good operational condition with no mechanical failures contributing to the event.
- The pilot was properly certified and qualified for the flight.
- The right brake was inadvertently applied, likely due to the passenger's ignorance of the heel-type brake system.
- The wind was blowing from the right, which exacerbated the aircraft's tendency to veer off the runway once the brake was engaged.