What happened
On July 17, 2009, at approximately 16:00 UTC, a Beechcraft 77 (registration EC-KNU) was performing a cross-country flight from Córdoba to Évora, with a planned stop at Santarém Aerodrome. The aircraft, operated by Costa Blanca Flight Training Centre, S.L., was carrying a pilot and one passenger.
During the approach to runway 23, the aircraft was traveling at an excessive speed and performing a long flare. This resulted in the aircraft floating down the runway, eventually touching down well beyond the midpoint of the pavement. Upon touchdown, the aircraft began to veer to the left, driven by a right crosswind component. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation using rudder input and differential braking, but these efforts were unsuccessful; in fact, the rudder deflection increased the leftward tendency due to the wind striking the deflected surface.
The aircraft exited the paved surface and traveled approximately 30 meters onto the sandy terrain of the runway shoulder. The nose gear subsequently struck the soft ground and collapsed, causing the aircraft to capsize and come to rest upside-down. Both occupants escaped the wreckage without visible injuries, though the passenger was briefly transported to a hospital for observation following complaints of neck pain.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the flight history, weather conditions, and the mechanical state of the aircraft. Investigators noted that while the pilot had established contact with Flight Information Services (FIS), no contact had been made with the Santarém Aerodrome Flight Information Service, meaning local meteorological updates or aerodrome operational conditions were not communicated to the crew prior to landing.
Technical inspections of the aircraft's flight controls and braking systems were conducted following the pilot's report of an inability to maintain the centerline. The investigation found no mechanical anomalies or malfunctions in the control or braking systems. The aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid, and all maintenance programs had been properly followed.
Findings
- The approach was performed with a tailwind and was unstabilized, leading to excessive speed and a long flare.
- The touchdown occurred past the middle of the runway.
- The pilot's attempt to use right rudder to correct the leftward drift actually exacerbated the deviation due to the wind component acting on the rudder.
- The aircraft's nose gear collapsed upon encountering the sandy soil of the runway shoulder, leading to the capsize.
- The aircraft sustained heavy damage to the nose gear, canopy, cabin top, wings, tail, and propeller.