What happened
On May 17, 2008, at 10:45 local time, a private Piper PA-2/8RT-201, registration EC-DIU, was performing a takeoff from runway 01R at Fuerteventura Airport, bound for Lanzarote. The flight was operated by a private pilot accompanied by two passengers.
During the takeoff roll, after traveling approximately 400 meters and reaching a speed of roughly 65 knots, the aircraft began to veer to the left. Despite the pilot's attempts to correct the deviation using braking and directional controls, the aircraft drifted off the runway. In an effort to stop the aircraft, the pilot reduced power and shut down the engine. As the aircraft exited the paved surface, it struck a drainage ditch located 21 meters from the runway edge. The impact with the ditch caused the nose gear to retract unexpectedly, forcing the nose of the aircraft to descend and scrape along the ground. The aircraft came to a complete stop 72 meters from the runway edge. There were no fatalities or injuries among the three occupants, who evacuated the aircraft on their own.
The investigation
The CIAIAC examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the meteorological data, and the airport infrastructure. Investigators verified that the nose gear and directional control systems were fully functional and showed no signs of mechanical failure or pre-existing breakage. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's flight manual, which specifies a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 17 knots.
Meteorological reports indicated that at the time of the accident, winds were from 320° at 8 knots, with gusts reaching up to 24 knots. Furthermore, the investigation analyzed the impact of the drainage ditch, noting that the impact force was sufficient to overcome the hydraulic pressure and spring mechanism holding the nose gear in the extended position, leading to the uncommanded retraction.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of control caused by a crosswind gust that exceeded the maximum demonstrated crosswind limit of 17 knots.
- The presence of the drainage ditch within the runway safety area contributed to the severity of the accident; the impact with the ditch caused the uncommanded retraction of the nose gear and subsequent structural damage to the lower fuselage, propeller, and wings.
- The aircraft's nose gear retracted because the longitudinal impact with the ditch provided enough force to act similarly to hydraulic pressure, overcoming the locking mechanism.
- The uneven terrain of the ditch also hindered the access of emergency service vehicles to the site.