Aircraft and Flight Details
A Cessna 172M (registration N80533), powered by a single Lycoming O-320-E2D engine and manufactured in 1976, was involved in a runway excursion incident at Abbeyshrule Aerodrome (EIAB) on 19 March 2020 at 13:40 UTC. The aircraft was operating a private flight from Weston Airport (EIWT) to Abbeyshrule under general aviation rules. Two persons were on board: a pilot and one passenger.
History of the Flight
The flight departed Weston at 12:55 UTC, carrying the pilot and one passenger. The pilot intended to perform a full-stop landing on runway 10 (RWY 10) at Abbeyshrule, taxi back, and then take off again for Weston.
Arriving overhead the aerodrome at 13:35 UTC, the pilot initiated a visual approach to RWY 10. He noted a crosswind from the left. Due to trees on the approach, RWY 10 has a displaced threshold approximately 145 meters from the start of the paved surface. According to the pilot, the aircraft touched down approximately 135 meters beyond the displaced threshold.
During the landing roll, the pilot reported that the aircraft began to drift to the right. Despite applying left control wheel and left rudder, the deviation continued. The aircraft left the paved surface roughly 42 meters before the end of the runway, coming to rest on the grass 17 meters to the right of the centerline and 18 meters from the runway end.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) issued by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) on 3 March 2020, with a Single Engine Piston (Land) rating valid until 28 February 2022, and a Class 2 Medical Certificate valid until 3 April 2023. At the time of the incident, the pilot's total flying experience was 88 hours, of which 22 hours were on the Cessna 172 type, including 8 hours as pilot-in-command on type. In the previous 90 days he had flown 14 hours, and in the previous 3 days, 2 hours.
Meteorological Information
The pilot reported the surface wind as 030° at 8 knots, with visibility exceeding 10 km, likely referring to conditions at departure (Weston). Post-incident, the investigation requested an aftercast from Met Éireann for the Abbeyshrule area, which indicated a generally northerly wind with variations between northwest and northeast, at 3 to 5 knots. This wind could have resulted in a tailwind component on RWY 10.
Aftermath
After coming to a stop, the pilot shut down the engine. Both he and the passenger exited normally. With assistance from personnel at the aerodrome, the aircraft was moved to an apron area south of the runway. Mud deposits were found on the wheels and tyres, which were cleaned. The pilot stated that those present informed him there was no apparent damage to the wheels or brakes.
The pilot then taxied the aircraft to check brake functionality. Satisfied that the brakes were operating normally, he flew the aircraft back to Weston at 15:30 UTC, accompanied by the passenger. The aircraft landed at Weston at 16:10 UTC.
The incident came to the attention of the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) on 22 March 2020 when the unit learned of a possible occurrence and contacted the pilot, who subsequently submitted an official report on 24 March 2020.
In a follow-up interview, the pilot indicated that there may have been a slight tailwind at touchdown, the touchdown speed may have been a little fast, and he landed some distance past the displaced threshold. He noted difficulty maintaining directional control during the landing roll.