Loss of Control During Landing at Ferreira do Alentejo Aerodrome

Casualties unknown • Ferreira do Alentejo, PT

A Piper PA-38-112 experienced a series of violent oscillations and a tire burst during landing, resulting in the aircraft veering off the runway.

What happened

On June 3, 2010, a PIPER PA-38-112 Tomahawk, registration D-EGZQ, was performing a recreational flight from Cascais to Ferreira do Alentejo Aerodrome (LPFA). During the landing phase on runway 35, the aircraft's main landing gear experienced a burst of the right tire. This event caused the aircraft to deviate from its intended path.

In an attempt to recover, the pilot applied power to initiate a go-around. However, due to the reduced kinetic energy and the unstable state of the aircraft, the pilot subsequently shut down the engine and cut the fuel supply. The aircraft eventually came to a stop in the terrain adjacent to the left side of the runway. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.

The investigation

The GPIAAF investigation focused on the sequence of events following the initial contact with the runway. Investigators determined that the aircraft bounced upon its first contact with the runway surface due to an improper attitude or inadequate correction during the flare. Because the pilot did not recover the aircraft using the recommended method—which involves applying power to soften the subsequent contact and adjusting the pitch—the aircraft entered a series of violent, uncontrolled oscillations about its lateral axis, described as a "dolphin-like" jumping and diving motion.

Technical analysis of the wreckage revealed significant damage, including a deformed propeller, a damaged engine mount, and damage to the nose landing gear and rudder. The investigation also noted that the application of power during the attempted go-around occurred when the aircraft's structural integrity was already compromised by the oscillations, further aggravating the damage.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the incident was the loss of control of the aircraft during landing.
  • The pilot failed to adequately recover the aircraft following the initial bounce on the runway.
  • Excessive corrections by the pilot triggered a series of induced oscillations.
  • The application of power during the attempted go-around was untimely, as the aircraft was no longer in a structural condition to safely perform the maneuver.
  • The burst of the right main landing gear tire contributed to the loss of directional control.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the loss of aircraft control during landing, stemming from an inadequate recovery from an initial bounce and subsequent excessive pilot corrections that triggered violent lateral oscillations. This instability was further compounded by an untimely attempt to execute a go-around after the aircraft's structural condition had already been compromised.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2010-06-03 PIPER PA38 accident near Ferreira do Alentejo, PT?

A Piper PA-38-112 experienced a series of violent oscillations and a tire burst during landing, resulting in the aircraft veering off the runway.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2010-06-03 involved a PIPER PA38, registration D-EGZQ, at Ferreira do Alentejo, PT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the loss of aircraft control during landing, stemming from an inadequate recovery from an initial bounce and subsequent excessive pilot corrections that triggered violent lateral oscillations. This instability was further compounded by an untimely attempt to execute a go-around after the…

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