What happened
On March 9, 2003, a Piper PA-28-181, registration EC-ETE, was conducting a private pleasure flight from Reus to La Cerdaña Aerodrome. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and three passengers.
Upon arrival at the aerodrome, the pilot initially intended to land on runway 07. However, after communicating with personnel on the aerodrome frequency, the pilot decided to change the approach to runway 25. During the landing sequence, the aircraft touched down past the first third of the runway. Due to high approach speed and a tailwind component, the aircraft failed to stop within the remaining runway length. The aircraft overran the end of runway 25, descended a 7-meter embankment, and collided with the aerodrome's perimeter fence. The pilot and all three passengers evacuated the aircraft safely without injury.
The investigation
The investigation relied on statements from the pilot, the flight leader of a local glider club, a tow plane pilot, and witnesses. The investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, the meteorological conditions, and the operational procedures at the private aerodrome.
Investigators noted a discrepancy regarding wind conditions; while the pilot reported a 15-knot tailwind, witnesses and other active pilots at the aerodrome reported near-zero wind conditions. The investigation also looked into the nature of communications at the aerodrome, noting that while no formal air traffic control exists, personnel use radio frequencies to provide operational information to visiting pilots.
Findings
- The aircraft approached the runway at an excessive altitude and speed, leading witnesses to believe the pilot was performing a low pass rather than a landing.
- The touchdown occurred late on the runway, past the first third of the runway length.
- The aircraft's landing roll was insufficient to stop the plane due to the high approach speed and late touchdown.
- The pilot attempted a go-around maneuver but was unable to execute it effectively before the aircraft left the paved surface.
- There was a lack of clarity regarding the operational nature of the aerodrome's communications, as the pilot appeared to treat the information provided by the flight leader as formal air traffic control instructions.