Incident Overview
On Saturday, April 10, 2004, at 18:10 hours local time, a Piper PA-28-10, registration EC-CBU, operated as a private flight from Tenerife-Sur Airport to El Berriel Aerodrome (Las Palmas). After a long touchdown in the last third of runway 25, the aircraft overran the opposite threshold, crossed the perimeter fence, and entered the sea, stopping approximately 200 meters from the runway. Both occupants evacuated the aircraft without injuries.
Aircraft and Crew
The single-engine Piper PA-28-10 was powered by a Textron Lycoming O-360-A4A engine. The pilot, aged 54, held a private pilot license and had a total flight time of 103 hours 25 minutes, with 30 hours 10 minutes on type. One passenger was on board.
Sequence of Events
Prior to landing, the pilot requested traffic and field information from the aerodrome information office. The controller advised runway 25 was in use with wind from 240° at 2 knots. On base leg, the pilot selected the second notch of flaps and reduced speed to 85 mph. On final approach, he reduced engine rpm to near idle and raised the nose to achieve 80 mph, the approach speed for 25° flaps per the manual. At 4–5 meters above the threshold, he leveled and flared. The pilot noted a lack of headwind, which he believed caused the aircraft to float during the first third of the runway. After the wheels touched, he lowered the nose and retracted the flaps. He and the passenger applied full braking. Finding the braking ineffective, the pilot decided to go around to avoid the fence and beach, but the aircraft overran runway 07, crossed the fence, and entered the water.
Investigation Findings
The investigation revealed that the flap handle was found at the first detent (10°). No strong braking marks were observed on the runway. The perimeter fence showed damage only to the first line of barbed wire. The tires had not burst. The distance from the runway 07 threshold to the fence was about 50 meters. The pilot could not recall the speed at which he decided to go around or the height over the 07 threshold.
Probable Cause
The most probable cause of the accident was performing an excessively long landing, with touchdown occurring in the last third of the runway, preventing the aircraft from stopping within the remaining runway distance.