What happened
On November 26, 2023, at approximately 12:25 local time, a TL2000 Sting, registration EC-XCE, was performing a landing at the Pozo Cañada aerodrome in Albacete, Spain. The aircraft, operated for private pleasure flight, was carrying a pilot and one passenger. After completing a series of low passes around the airfield, the pilot executed a landing on runway 11.
During the landing roll, once the aircraft had slowed to approximately 60 km/h and the pilot applied the brakes, the aircraft began to deviate to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the trajectory by releasing the brakes momentarily and then applying the right rudder pedal, but the aircraft continued to veer left and eventually spun 180 degrees. The aircraft exited the runway through a ditch parallel to the landing strip, coming to rest in the opposite direction of its initial landing heading. The impact caused significant damage to the nose gear, the right main landing gear, and the propeller blades. Both occupants were uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the mechanical condition of the braking and steering systems, and the flight parameters. Maintenance tasks, including oil and filter changes, had been performed the day before the accident.
Investigators inspected the nose gear steering system and found the steering components to be in good condition, concluding that the deformation observed was likely caused by the final impact. The engine and propeller control systems were also found to be functioning correctly.
Upon inspecting the braking system, investigators discovered hydraulic fluid leaks. While some leakage was attributed to recent maintenance (overfilling the reservoir), a specific leak was identified at the right main gear brake caliper. The hydraulic line supplying this caliper was found to be loose, which likely compromised the braking effectiveness on the right side, creating a leftward yawing moment during deceleration.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a malfunction in the braking system caused by a loose hydraulic line at the right main gear brake caliper.
- The investigation noted that the aircraft landed at a slightly higher speed than recommended in the pilot's usual procedure, though calculations suggest the speed was within a range that did not directly cause the excursion.
- The presence of excess hydraulic fluid in the system may have exacerbated the failure of the loose line.