Piper PA-32-300 Excursion at Casas de Los Pinos Aerodrome

Casualties unknown • Aeródromo Casas de los Pinos (Cuenca), ES

A Piper PA-32-300 veered off the runway at Casas de Los Pinos after an improper landing with a tailwind, resulting in significant aircraft damage.

What happened

On May 14, 2022, at approximately 17:00 local time, a PIPER PA-32-300, registration EC-DHL, was involved in a runway excursion at the Casas de Los Pinos aerodrome in Cuenca, Spain. The aircraft, operated by Aeroclub Skydive Ontur, had been performing skydiving operations and had successfully completed 10 previous landings on runway 12 earlier that day.

During the final flight of the day, the pilot performed a descent following parachute deployments. During the final approach, the aircraft experienced turbulence. While the pilot initially believed the approach was standard, the aircraft's windsock indicated a crosswind that drifted the plane to the left. Upon touchdown, the aircraft experienced a "ballooning" effect, where the nose lifted momentarily after contacting the runway with the main gear. The pilot applied heavy braking approximately two to three seconds after touchdown, but the aircraft failed to stop within the runway limits. The aircraft exited the end of the runway, struck the perimeter fence, crossed a public road (N-301), and finally came to a stop in an adjacent field. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained significant damage to the fuselage, wings, propeller, and landing gear.

The investigation

The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, meteorological data, and the pilot's landing sequence. Investigators analyzed tire marks on the pavement, which began 185 meters from the end of the runway. By comparing these marks with the aircraft's performance specifications, the investigation determined that the pilot's estimation of the touchdown point was incorrect.

Meteorological data from the nearby AEMET station confirmed that wind conditions had shifted. While previous landings had been performed with a headwind, the final approach was conducted with a tailwind. Calculations based on the flight manual indicated that even with a minimal 5-knot tailwind, a much longer stopping distance would have been required than what was available due to the late touchdown.

Findings

  • The pilot performed the landing in the last third of the runway.
  • The final approach was conducted with a tailwind.
  • The pilot failed to recognize the change in wind direction, likely due to the successful completion of several previous landings using the same runway heading.
  • The aircraft did not have sufficient remaining runway distance to stop under the prevailing wind conditions.

Probable cause

The primary cause of the accident was an incorrect landing resulting in touchdown within the final third of the runway, exacerbated by the contributing factor of performing the final approach with a tailwind.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2022-05-14 PIPER modelo PA-32-300 accident near Aeródromo Casas de los Pinos (Cuenca), ES?

A Piper PA-32-300 veered off the runway at Casas de Los Pinos after an improper landing with a tailwind, resulting in significant aircraft damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-05-14 involved a PIPER modelo PA-32-300, registration EC-DHL, at Aeródromo Casas de los Pinos (Cuenca), ES.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause of the accident was an incorrect landing resulting in touchdown within the final third of the runway, exacerbated by the contributing factor of performing the final approach with a tailwind.

Loading the flight search…