Landing gear failure leads to runway excursion at Coonagh Airfield

Casualties unknown • IE

A TECNAM P2002-JF aircraft veered off the runway during takeoff due to early nose-wheel lift, resulting in a detached landing gear and substantial damage.

What happened

On May 4, 2008, a TECNAM P2002-JF, registration EI-LFC, was performing a private local flight departing Coonagh Airfield in Co. Limerick. As the aircraft accelerated down runway 28, it encountered a significant crosswind from the left. When the aircraft reached an airspeed of approximately 45-50 kts, it began to veer toward the left edge of the paved surface.

The pilot attempted to correct the deviation using full right rudder. While the aircraft managed to return to the runway centerline, the left main landing gear leg detached during the maneuver. The detached gear struck the aircraft's horizontal tailplane, causing significant damage. The pilot subsequently aborted the takeoff, leading to a rapid deceleration that ended with the aircraft coming to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.

The investigation

Investigators examined the aircraft's flight history, the airfield conditions, and the mechanical failure of the landing gear. The investigation noted that the aircraft, which had only 157.5 total flight hours, was being operated by an experienced instructor.

Field inspections revealed that the aircraft sustained substantial damage, including a buckled left wing, a broken propeller, and a displaced engine. The investigation also focused on the terrain surrounding the runway, noting that the ground immediately adjacent to the paved surface was uneven, featuring small mounds of earth. The investigation confirmed that the wind conditions, while within the manufacturer's demonstrated limits, created a challenging crosswind component for the narrow runway.

Findings

  • The pilot raised the nose wheel too early during the takeoff roll, which removed the ability to use nose-wheel steering and left the rudder as the only method for directional control.
  • In the prevailing crosswind, the rudder lacked sufficient authority to maintain the aircraft on the runway centerline at lower speeds.
  • The uneven surface of the ground adjacent to the runway subjected the left main landing gear to excessive side loading, causing the attachment bolt to fail as the aircraft transitioned between the pavement and the grass.

Probable cause

The primary cause of the accident was the premature lifting of the nose wheel during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control under crosswind conditions and the subsequent departure from the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the null aircraft accident near IE?

A TECNAM P2002-JF aircraft veered off the runway during takeoff due to early nose-wheel lift, resulting in a detached landing gear and substantial damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on null involved a aircraft, registration EI-LFC, at IE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause of the accident was the premature lifting of the nose wheel during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control under crosswind conditions and the subsequent departure from the runway.

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