Factual Information
On 22 February 2019, at approximately 13:29 local time, a student pilot was conducting touch-and-go landings in a Piper PA28-161 (registration EC-JDP) at Requena aerodrome (LERE), using runway 30. During the final landing of the session, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft. The airplane veered left off the runway, struck two parked aircraft on the apron, and hit a hedge. The pilot was uninjured.
Aircraft Damage
The accident aircraft suffered major damage. The left wing was torn, split, and fully deformed; the spar was sheared and bent; the aileron was broken; and the flap was deformed. The elevator, its spar, and left-side panels were deformed. The cowlings were wrinkled and split. The nose gear and engine mount assembly were bent. The propeller was bent and lightly scratched. The right wing leading edge was wrinkled and split. Deformation and cracks appeared on the right side at the wing root. The rear fuselage was deformed. The windshield and roof and side plastics were broken. Engine damage was not assessed. Due to the extent of damage, the owner decided not to repair the aircraft.
Other Aircraft Damage
One of the parked aircraft sustained substantial damage: its left wing was completely split and deformed, with damage to the flap and aileron; the fuselage was twisted and punctured; cowlings were split and the mount bent; the tail was heavily damaged, with the elevator fully wrinkled and split and the rudder wrinkled and damaged; the right wing strut was bent and the wing wrinkled; the left landing gear leg was damaged. Engine damage was not assessed. This aircraft was also deemed beyond repair. The other parked aircraft received minor damage—a dent on the outer leading edge.
Personnel Information
The student pilot, a 36-year-old Spanish national, held a valid Class 2 medical certificate. Total flight experience was 31 hours, of which 7 hours were solo. All flying had been conducted at Requena aerodrome in the same aircraft type.
Aircraft Information
The Piper PA28-161 (serial number 28-7816652) was manufactured in 1978 and registered in Spain on 30 July 2014. It was powered by a Lycoming O-320-D3G engine. The aircraft had a valid airworthiness certificate and a maintenance review performed prior to the accident.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the accident was caused by the pilot's loss of control due to inadequate management of the aircraft's directional control system.