What happened
On July 25, 2007, at 15:15 local time, a Cessna 172 J with registration EC-CZG experienced a runway excursion while landing on runway 16 at the Los Martínez del Puerto Aerodrome in Murcia, Spain. The aircraft, operated by Álamo Aviación, had been performing aerial advertising services, specifically banner towing, earlier that day.
During the approach, the pilot noted a crosswind from the left of approximately 6 to 8 knots. The pilot utilized a landing technique involving left wing low and right rudder to counteract the wind. While the initial touchdown was successful and the aircraft remained aligned with the runway, the pilot began to lose directional control during the landing roll. As the aircraft drifted toward the left side of the runway, the pilot reduced engine power to idle but did not apply sufficient right rudder or braking to prevent the deviation. The aircraft eventually struck a 0.5-meter depression at the edge of the runway, causing the left main gear to pivot sharply and sending the aircraft into a perimeter fence.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's experience, and the environmental factors at the time of the accident. Investigators found that the Cessna 172 J was well-maintained, having undergone a 200-hour inspection and engine overhaul only 33 hours prior to the event. The aircraft's center of gravity and weight were within certified limits.
Analysis of the tire tracks on the unpaved runway showed that the aircraft initially traveled parallel to the runway axis before a gradual leftward deviation began. The tracks also indicated that the pilot attempted to correct the course, as the aircraft's path straightened toward the right before the left main gear hit the terrain depression. The investigation also confirmed that the pilot was a qualified commercial pilot with 324 total flight hours and had received adequate rest prior to the flight.