What happened
On September 6, 2024, a Tecnam P2008JC, registration SP-SME, was performing a landing with a low approach (touch-and-go) at Poznań/Ławica Airport (EPPO). During the landing roll, the pilot was unable to sufficiently decelerate the aircraft using the brakes. As a result, the aircraft failed to stop within the runway limits, veering onto a taxiway and subsequently onto the grass, where it eventually came to a halt.
There were no injuries reported, and neither the aircraft nor the airport infrastructure sustained any damage during the excursion.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical integrity of the aircraft's braking system. A subsequent technical inspection of the Tecnam P2008JC revealed a crack in the seal of a brake caliper on one of the landing gear wheels.
Findings
- The primary cause of the event was a mechanical failure of the braking system, specifically a leak in the brake lines caused by a seal failure, which led to a drop in hydraulic pressure and prevented even braking across the wheels.
- The landing was performed as a low approach (touch-and-go), which acted as a contributing factor to the incident.
Safety action
Following the investigation, the following preventive actions were approved:
- Conducting a review with organization personnel regarding proper procedures when encountering braking system issues during landing.
- Including information regarding this occurrence in the ATO safety bulletin.