What happened
On 23 November 2003, a Piper Cherokee PA32, registration N129SC, was performing a private flight to Weston Aerodrome (EIWT) in County Kildare. The flight, which originated from the Isle of Man, proceeded under visual flight rules (VFR) in clear weather. As the pilot turned onto final approach for Runway 25, the setting sun created significant glare. Additionally, pools of water on the surface of the landing area caused further light reflections.
Believing the aircraft was aligned with Runway 2 and performing a standard landing, the pilot touched down on a surface that was actually an incomplete taxiway running parallel to the active runway. Upon realizing the surface was uneven, the pilot attempted to steer the aircraft toward a grass verge. During this maneuver, the starboard main landing gear struck a depression in the ground, causing the gear to shear off. The aircraft slid to a halt with no injuries to the pilot or the three passengers.
The investigation
The investigation focused on why the pilot failed to distinguish the construction zone from the active runway. It was established that the pilot's visibility was severely compromised by the low angle of the sun and reflections from standing water on the unfinished pavement. While the pilot was a frequent visitor to the aerodrome and aware of ongoing works, he had not received official notification of the specific construction progress during his pre-flight briefings in Derry.
Investigators also examined the reporting procedures for aerodrome maintenance. While regulations for higher-category aerodromes mandate that information regarding the operational status of facilities must be provided to air traffic services, the rules for lower-category aerodromes like Weston allowed for more discretion regarding whether such information was deemed appropriate to distribute.
Findings
- The pilot landed the aircraft on a taxiway that was currently under construction.
- The aircraft sustained significant damage, including a sheared starboard landing gear, damage to the rear fuselage, and a perforation in the starboard wing.
- Misidentification of the parallel taxiway as Runway 25 was the primary cause of the incident.
- A lack of situational awareness during the final approach contributed to the error.
Safety action
Following the investigation, a recommendation was made for the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) to review the Supplement for Lower Category Aerodromes (ALM 003). The goal is to align these regulations with the stricter requirements of the Aerodrome Licensing Manual (ALM 002), ensuring that all significant construction and maintenance work is formally reported to ensure the safety of arriving and departing aircraft.