History of Flight
On 17 July 2009, a Beechcraft 77, Spanish registration EC-KNU, operated by Costa Blanca Flight Training Centre, S.L., was conducting a navigation flight from Córdoba (LEBA) to Évora (LPEV), then to Santarém (LPSR), and back to Évora. The aircraft carried one pilot and one passenger. After departing Évora at 14:42 UTC, the aircraft arrived at Santarém around 16:00 UTC and prepared to land on runway 23. The approach was performed at high speed and above the normal glide path; the aircraft overflew the runway at about 3–4 meters height and touched down beyond the midpoint of the runway.
Once on the ground, the aircraft began to veer left. The pilot was unable to correct the trajectory using rudder or differential braking. The aircraft left the paved surface, entered the sandy shoulder, and the nose wheel dug into the sand, fracturing. The aircraft nosed over, coming to rest inverted approximately 5 meters from the runway edge, oriented about 020° magnetic. Several people from the aerodrome assisted the occupants in evacuating. Emergency services arrived, applied foam to spilled fuel, then righted and towed the aircraft to the maintenance hangar.
Injuries
The pilot exited the aircraft without visible injuries and did not report any complaints. The passenger initially had no visible injuries but later complained of neck pain and nausea, was transported to a hospital for observation, and was discharged immediately.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose landing gear, windshield, cabin top, wings, empennage, and propeller. No parts separated except the nose wheel and left horizontal stabilizer. No third-party damage occurred.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the accident, the sky was clear, visibility exceeded 10 km, and wind was variable between 320° and 050° at 8 to 10 knots. Temperature was 23°C, dew point 11°C, and QNH 1024 hPa. During the afternoon, wind intensity increased slightly, with momentary gusts of 15 to 20 knots.
Aerodrome Information
Santarém Aerodrome (Cosme Pedrógão) is a private airfield with a single asphalt runway, 1205 m long. Due to an obstacle in the approach to runway 05, the threshold was displaced, reducing the landing distance available on runway 05 to 980 m, while runway 23 retained 1125 m. The approach area for runway 23 had a medium-voltage power line 15 m high at 250 m from the threshold. The aerodrome operated only during daylight hours.
Tests and Research
A thorough inspection of the flight control system and a test of the braking system were conducted; no anomalies were found.
Probable Cause
Not stated in the source.