Synopsis
On 19 July 2008 at approximately 12:00 UTC, a Piper PA-38-112, registration CS-DDC, operated by Aero Clube de Alverca do Ribatejo, sustained substantial damage during a local training flight at Lezíria airfield, Porto Alto, Portugal. The sole occupant, the pilot, was not injured.
History of the Flight
The aircraft departed runway 28 at 09:40 UTC for a local training flight. At 12:00, the pilot landed on runway 10. Given the 600 m runway length, the pilot opted not to use brakes, allowing the aircraft to decelerate naturally. After traveling about 200 m along the centerline, the aircraft began to veer slowly to the right. Despite rudder and left differential brake inputs, the aircraft continued right, left the paved surface, and entered a grass verge with tall dry bushes. It traveled about 80 m off the runway before the landing gear entered a drainage ditch and the propeller and nose struck the perimeter fence, stopping the aircraft.
Injuries
The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained no injuries.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft suffered severe damage, making recovery uneconomical. One propeller blade was slightly bent with abrasion on the leading edge. The left main and nose landing gear fractured, damaging the lower wing and fuselage structure. The left brake hydraulic line fractured. The fuselage above the left wing (cockpit area) was wrinkled. The left wing tip was torn, with dents on the leading edge and underside. The rear fuselage forward of the vertical stabilizer was severely twisted and distorted.
Other Damage
No third-party damage occurred.
Pilot Information
The pilot, 59 years old, held a PPL(A) with SEP and RT ratings, valid until 10 May 2013. Medical certificate was valid until 24 August 2007 with limitation VDL. Total flight experience: 231 hours 10 minutes, with 9 hours 25 minutes in the preceding 90 days, and 5 hours 35 minutes in the 28 days before the accident. His flying practice was irregular; after a flight on 8 May 2007, he did not fly until 13 June 2008 (over a year), then resumed solo without any instructor training or check. Between 13 June and 21 June 2008, he flew 7 hours 5 minutes solo in the same aircraft.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-38-112, serial number 38-79A0987, manufactured in 1979, owned by Aero Clube de Alverca do Ribatejo. Total airframe hours: 9263:55. Engine: Textron Lycoming O-235-L2C (serial RL-23165-15, rebuilt by manufacturer in 2000; 3983:50 TSN, 1198:40 TSO). Propeller: Sensenich 72CK-O-56 (serial K8211, 1180:00 hours). Last inspection on 13 May 2008.
Meteorological Information
Weather was favorable: average wind 250° at 10 kt, varying between 180° and 300°. Sky partly cloudy, good visibility, temperature 28°C.
Aerodrome Information
Lezíria airfield is located about 5 km from Porto Alto, Vila Franca de Xira. Runway characteristics were as published.
Wreckage and Impact
No significant separation of parts occurred. Damage resulted from the final impact with the fence and the landing gear entering the ditch, causing the left wing to strike the ground. The path off the runway was evident from broken bushes. The nose gear leg fractured on the opposite bank of the ditch; the propeller blade bent from hitting the fence. The left main gear leg was partially torn off, and the brake tubing fractured near the brake assembly. Only small attachment pieces were found in the ditch.
Analysis
The report concluded that the pilot had deficient directional control during the landing roll. Contributory factors included lack of recent flight practice, non-use of brakes during the landing roll, and presence of obstacles (ditch and fence) in the runway safety area.
Conclusions
Established Facts
The aircraft landed normally on runway 10. After about 200 m, it veered right despite pilot inputs. It departed the runway, traversed the verge, and came to rest in a ditch against a fence. The pilot had limited recent flying experience and did not use brakes. No pre-existing mechanical issues were identified.
Causes
Primary Cause: The pilot's deficient directional control during the landing roll.
Contributory Factors: Lack of recent flight practice; non-utilization of brakes during the landing roll; presence of obstacles (ditch and fence) in the runway safety area.