Flight History
On 14 February 2006, a SOCATA TB20 Trinidad GT, registration CS-DEO, departed from Évora Aerodrome with a student pilot, an instructor, and a passenger. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) as an instructional cross-country flight to Portimão Aerodrome. After performing a visual circuit to runway 29, the student pilot executed an approach and landing at 10:30 UTC.
Incident Sequence
Upon touchdown, the left main tire burst, causing the aircraft to veer left. The instructor immediately took control and applied opposite rudder to realign the aircraft, at which point the right main tire also burst. The aircraft came to a stop on the left half of the runway.
Damage and Injuries
Damage was limited to both main tires, which burst. No personal injuries occurred; the crew and passenger were uninjured. No third-party damage was reported.
Weather and Aerodrome
The weather at the time was calm wind, clear sky, visibility greater than 10 km, QNH 1024, and temperature 21 °C. Portimão Aerodrome has a single asphalt runway (11/29), 920 m long and 30 m wide, with no slope.
Investigation and Findings
The Portuguese Aeronautical Accident Prevention and Investigation Office (GPIAA) investigated. A witness from the aerodrome reported that the approach speed appeared above the reference landing speed (Vref) and the aircraft landed long, in the second third of the runway. The investigation established that the student pilot applied firm braking, leading to loss of directional control. The combined effects of excessive speed and dynamic forces on the tires caused both main tires to burst.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the probable cause to be loss of control during landing.