What happened
On July 10, 2005, a private PIPER PA-34-220T, registration EC-JFU, departed La Rioja Aerodrome for Cuatro Vientos Airport. During the approach, the pilot requested a 360-degree right turn to maintain separation from another aircraft on final approach. While completing this maneuver, the pilot received landing clearance and transitioned into a 90-degree left turn to intercept the runway.
As a result of this maneuver, the aircraft approached the runway displaced to the right of the centerline. Upon touchdown, the aircraft was not properly aligned with the runway axis. The landing was abrupt, with the left main gear making contact first, followed by the nose gear. During the landing roll, the pilot applied the left brake, causing the aircraft to skid to the left. The aircraft slid across the runway with the right wing leading, eventually coming to a stop off the paved surface with its nose pointed northwest. There were no fatalities and no injuries among the four occupants.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft wreckage and flight path data. Radar information confirmed that the aircraft entered the final approach displaced from the runway centerline. Analysis of the tire marks on the runway revealed a curved trajectory to the left, indicating a significant skid.
Physical inspection of the landing gear revealed that the left main gear tire had burst upon impact due to extreme wear and a lack of tread. Furthermore, the right main gear strut suffered a brittle fracture near the axle connection point. This failure was attributed to excessive transverse loads generated during the uncontrolled skid.