What happened
On August 27, 2020, a homebuilt Trebujena aircraft, registration EC-XPT, was performing a local flight at the Castellón aerodrome (LECN) in Spain. The flight, conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), had lasted approximately two hours and twenty minutes.
During the final approach to runway 18, the pilot had established a landing speed of approximately 110 km/h. As the aircraft was overflying the runway, the pilot attempted to adjust the airbrakes. However, the pilot failed to secure the airbrake lever firmly after unlocking it, causing the lever to move to its full extent and fully deploying the airbrakes. This sudden aerodynamic change caused the aircraft to descend abruptly, impacting the runway and bouncing.
During the impact, the left main landing gear wheel was torn from the aircraft. The pilot managed to regain control of the aircraft after the bounce and brought it to a stop in the center of the runway. The pilot remained uninjured and was able to exit the aircraft immediately. Due to scheduled parachuting activities at the aerodrome, the aircraft was quickly towed off the runway using a van to avoid disrupting operations.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's credentials, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the event. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid Private Pilot License (PPL) and medical certificate. The aircraft's documentation was in order, and a 50-hour inspection had been completed approximately eleven hours prior to the accident.
Meteorological data from nearby stations indicated favorable flying conditions, with light winds and excellent visibility (CAVOK). The investigation also noted that the airbrake lever in this specific aircraft model also controls the wheel brakes when moved to the end of its travel. The investigation focused on the sequence of control inputs during the final moments of the landing phase.