Accident Sequence
On Saturday, 17 May 2008, at 10:45 local time, a Piper PA-28RT-201, registration EC-DIU, was conducting a private flight from Fuerteventura Airport to Lanzarote. The aircraft, operated by a private owner, carried the pilot and two passengers. After taxiing to the threshold of runway 01R, the pilot initiated the takeoff roll. Approximately 400 meters down the runway, at a speed of about 65 knots, the aircraft began to veer to the left. Despite the pilot applying brakes and later reducing power and shutting down the engine, the deviation could not be corrected. The aircraft left the paved surface and crossed a drainage ditch located 21 meters from the left edge of the runway. Upon crossing the ditch, the pilot felt an impact, after which the nose gear retracted, causing the nose of the aircraft to drop and drag along the ground. The aircraft came to a stop 72 meters from the runway edge.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was a Piper PA-28RT-201, equipped with a single Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 engine and a retractable tricycle landing gear operated hydraulically. The pilot, aged 49, held a Private Pilot License (PPL(A)) and had logged 200 total flight hours, with 180 hours on the type. All three occupants were uninjured and evacuated the aircraft unaided.
Weather Conditions
According to the control tower, the wind was from 320° at 13 knots, gusting to 23 knots. The METAR for 09:30 UTC (10:30 local) reported wind from 320° at 8 knots with gusts up to 24 knots, and direction varying between 280° and 360°. The aircraft's flight manual listed a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 17 knots, and this information was displayed on the instrument panel.
Investigation Findings
Post-accident inspections revealed no pre-existing malfunctions. The nose gear showed no breakage that could have caused retraction, and the directional control system responded correctly to pedal inputs. The landing gear, when extended manually, operated without resistance. Analysis of the skid marks on the runway indicated that the aircraft drifted to the right before departing the left side. The investigation concluded that the sudden veer likely resulted from a gust of crosswind exceeding the aircraft's demonstrated crosswind limit. The pilot had employed proper crosswind technique but could not maintain control. After the aircraft left the runway, the nose gear impacted the drainage ditch, causing an uncommanded retraction. The ditch, located within the runway strip, was not leveled as recommended by ICAO standards. AENA, the airport authority, initiated corrective actions to level the ditch and other uneven areas.
Aftermath
The aircraft sustained damage to the forward lower fuselage, nose gear, propeller, and wing deformation. Emergency services experienced difficulty reaching the accident site due to the same ditch, potentially delaying their response. The ditch was subsequently leveled.