What happened
On 22 May 2012, a Piper PA 16 Clipper, registration EI-EMT, was performing a local flight near Letterkenny Airfield (EILT) in Co Donegal. As the pilot was completing the final approach to runway 25, the aircraft was approximately 25 feet above the ground with the throttle closed. At this moment, a sudden crosswind caused the aircraft to drift sharply to the right of the runway centerline.
The deviation occurred so rapidly that the pilot could not regain control before the starboard wing root struck a windsock pole. The aircraft then encountered a boundary ditch and fence, where the main landing gear made heavy contact with the ground and an old cast iron vessel embedded in the soil. The impact caused the main wheels to separate from the airframe. The aircraft then spun nearly 180 degrees before coming to a stop in a nearby field. Despite the substantial damage to the aircraft, the pilot sustained no injuries and managed to exit through a window after the door became jammed.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight history, the environmental conditions, and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The pilot, who possessed significant experience on this specific type, confirmed that the aircraft was in serviceable condition and that no mechanical failures in the engine or flight controls had occurred. Investigators also reviewed the local airfield topography and the impact of nearby structures on wind patterns.
Findings
- The aircraft was subject to a sudden, uncommanded lateral movement during the landing phase.
- The primary cause was a sudely encountered crosswind gust that pushed the aircraft off the runway.
- The airfield's specific layout, including the placement of hangars, creates a localized aerodynamic effect where aircraft emerging from the lee of the buildings are vulnerable to sudden wind exposure.
- The pilot was unable to implement corrective inputs before the aircraft struck the windsock pole and the boundary ditch.