Factual Information
On 13 September 2015 at 17:45 local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registration EC-CLU, operated by Airpull Aviation S.L. and owned by Dedalo Aviación S.L., was involved in an accident at Requena aerodrome (Valencia, Spain). The flight was a local visual flight rules (VFR) instructional flight with two occupants: an instructor and a student pilot. The flight had lasted approximately two hours, during which various maneuvers and navigation training were conducted.
Flight History
The aircraft was returning from the east and initiated a straight-in approach for landing on runway 30. During the final approach, very close to the runway surface, the aircraft became uncontrollable, dropped onto the runway, and bounced. The pilot in command applied power with the intention to go around, but the aircraft exited the left side of the runway. It traveled 110 meters through a vineyard perpendicular to the runway edge and came to a stop 500 meters from the threshold.
Injuries
Both pilots sustained minor injuries, including bruises and small open wounds from impact with the instrument panel. All injuries were classified as minor.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained damage from the impact with the terrain during the excursion through the vineyard.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the accident, the wind was variable (gusty) with intensity between moderate and strong, from a direction of 270°. Moderate turbulence was present due to variable wind over the orographic environment around the aerodrome. A variable and significant crosswind component existed. No precise wind information was available for runway 30.
Cause and Contributing Factors
According to the investigation, the cause of the accident was the approach and final landing on runway 30 with the aircraft not properly controlled, under conditions of variable gusty wind of moderate to strong intensity from 270°, which caused a bounce on the runway followed by impact of the left wing with surrounding terrain.
Contributing factors identified by the investigation include:
- The crew's lack of knowledge about wind gradient effects.
- Performing a straight-in approach to runway 30 coming from the east, which was not an approved procedure; the correct procedure when approaching from the east is to maintain 4,000 ft and join the traffic circuit for runway 30.
- Presence of moderate turbulence from variable wind over the orographic environment.
- Presence of a variable and significant crosswind component.
- Lack of precise wind information at runway 30.
- Relaxed monitoring by the instructor during the final approach due to the calm nature of the rest of the flight and the student's prior experience.
Safety Recommendations
The investigation issued one safety recommendation to Airpull Aviation S.L., the operator and training organization.