What happened
On 22 August 2020, a VANS RV-9A, registration EC-XLF, was performing a local flight at Tiétar Aerodrome in La Iglesuela, Toledo. The aircraft, operated privately, was returning to the aerodrome for landing on runway 2LL after a short flight.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft experienced a heavy bounce that lifted it back into the air. In an attempt to prevent the aircraft from stopping short on the runway, the pilot applied engine power to fly the aircraft further down the strip. This application of power caused the aircraft to veer sharply to the left. Despite the pilot's efforts to correct the direction using right-foot rudder pressure, the aircraft continued its curved trajectory, crossed the aerodrome's perimeter fence, and impacted the ground on an adjacent plot of land. The impact caused the aircraft to roll on its left main gear before eventually coming to rest on its nose.
One passenger sustained serious injuries, while the pilot remained unharmed. The aircraft suffered significant damage to its fuselage, wings, landing gear, propeller, and engine.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the aircraft's wreckage, track marks on the ground, and the pilot's testimony. Investigators analyzed the sequence of events, noting that the aircraft's touchdown occurred after the runway indicator numbers. The presence of longitudinal and transverse track marks confirmed an unstable second landing and rollout, characterized by the aircraft losing and regaining contact with the ground.
Technical analysis of the flight dynamics revealed that the initial heavy bounce was the result of the aircraft touching down with excessive vertical speed. Furthermore, the investigation scrutinized the pilot's reaction to the bounce, specifically the decision to increase engine power while the aircraft was in a vulnerable state.
Findings
- The aircraft touched down with excessive vertical speed, leading to a powerful bounce.
- The pilot's decision to demand sudden engine power caused the aircraft to veer to the left.
- The pilot was unable to maintain directional control due to the combination of the power surge and the loss of rudder effectiveness at low speeds.
- Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable and not a limiting factor.