What happened
On May 3, 2019, a Piper PA-28-161, registration SE-KVP, was performing a local flight departing from Kjeller Airport (ENKJ). After approximately one hour of flight, the pilot returned to land on runway 30. During the approach, the pilot noted that wind conditions had deteriorated, characterized by increased crosswinds and gusts compared to the departure.
Upon landing with three flaps set and a speed of 65 knots, the pilot lost directional control. The aircraft drifted to the right, exiting the runway and traversing two taxiways (A and B) before the pilot managed to steer it back onto the runway surface. Following the excursion, the pilot performed a visual inspection and, seeing no obvious external damage, parked the aircraft without recording the event in the aircraft logbook or reporting it to the authorities.
The investigation
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) examined the sequence of events and the subsequent handling of the aircraft. The investigation revealed that the aircraft had traveled over uneven terrain and crossed multiple taxiways, which likely caused sudden, jarring movements. While the pilot believed the aircraft was airworthy, a later inspection—prompted by a witness informing the aircraft owner—uncovered significant damage to the engine mount, firewall, and nose gear strut. The damage was severe enough that the insurance provider recommended the aircraft be condemned.
Findings
- Changing wind conditions resulting from convective activity were a contributing factor to the loss of control during landing.
- The pilot failed to initiate a professional inspection by qualified personnel to check for hidden structural damage.
- The pilot did not report the runway excursion to the aviation authorities, despite the legal requirement to report all such incidents regardless of visible damage.
- The pilot's decision to continue the landing despite challenging wind conditions contributed to the excursion; an aborted landing attempt might have avoided the incident.
Safety action
- The NSIA emphasized that all runway excursions during takeoff or landing must be reported in accordance with EU regulations.
- The investigation suggests that pilots facing challenging crosswind conditions may benefit from instructor-led training to enhance handling skills and mitigate the risk of similar occurrences.