What happened
On August 10, 2019, a Piper PA-25-260, registration EC-BSJ, was performing a private flight from Madrid/Cuatro Vientos to its home base at the Santo Tomé del Puerto aerodrome in Segovia, Spain. The flight was being conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in optimal weather conditions. Prior to the accident, the pilot had performed a successful touch-and-go maneuver to test the aircraft's performance.
During the subsequent landing on runway 30L, the aircraft made initial contact with the right side of the runway. As the aircraft decelerated, the pilot applied left rudder to steer the aircraft toward the runway centerline. Upon reaching the centerline, the pilot applied right rudder to arrest the turn; however, the aircraft failed to respond and continued to deviate. In an attempt to correct the course, the pilot applied the right brake, but the aircraft continued its trajectory, exiting the left side of the runway and crossing the safety strip.
The aircraft eventually struck two shrubs, causing significant damage to the right main landing gear, the right wing, and the propeller. The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was uninjured and able to evacuate the aircraft on his own.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's steering mechanism to determine why the rudder input failed to produce the expected response. While external inspections of the tailwheel showed no visible anomalies, a disassembly of the steering mechanism revealed that a U-shaped retaining strap was broken. This broken component prevented the steering arm from transmitting movement to the wheel axle when right rudder was applied, though it still allowed for left-hand steering.
The investigation also reviewed the maintenance manual, noting that while external inspections and lubrication are required, there is no specific requirement to inspect the interior of the steering mechanism. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the manufacturer, LAVIASA, did not provide historical data regarding the recurrence or severity of similar steering mechanism failures.