What happened
On April 25, 2008, a Cessna U206, registration F-GSGT, was performing a landing at the private El Castaño airfield in Luciana, Ciudad Real. The aircraft had flown from Morocco via Valdepeñas, Spain, carrying a cargo of approximately 273 kg.
During the landing roll, the aircraft touched down in the final third of the runway with excessive energy and speed. As the crew attempted to decelerate, the aircraft experienced asymmetric braking, causing the right main gear to lock and create a significant skid mark. The aircraft veered sharply to the right, overrunning the paved surface and plunging into a ravine located at the end of the runway. The impact destroyed the aircraft, and both occupants, who were both experienced pilots, sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the aircraft's flight history, the landing performance, and the mechanical condition of the braking system. Investigators recovered data from a portable GPS carried by the occupants, which revealed the flight trajectory and landing speeds.
Analysis of the runway surface showed that while the aircraft made contact with the pavement approximately 400 meters from the end of the runway, the braking was highly asymmetrical. The right tire showed a distinct flat spot, and the nose gear tracks converged toward the right main gear, indicating a loss of directional control. The investigation also found that the aircraft had been refueled with 98-octane automotive gasoline, which is not authorized by the manufacturer, though this was not considered a direct cause of the impact. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the occupants were operating without valid license validations for a French-registered aircraft and had failed to file a required flight plan for international border crossings.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an erroneous landing maneuver, characterized by a short touchdown in the final third of the runway under high-energy conditions.
- The aircraft was landing with significant speed and likely facing a tailwind, which extended the required stopping distance beyond the available runway length.
- Asymmetric braking led to the locking of the right wheel and a subsequent uncontrolled skid to the right.
- The aircraft was carrying a heavy cargo of 273 kg, though the exact distribution and securing of the load could not be determined.
- The aircraft arrived at the destination with low fuel reserves, likely less than one-quarter of its total capacity.