What happened
On August 29, 2021, a VANS RV7, registration EC-X</strong>XQY, was performing a private flight from Son Bonet to the Igualada-Ódena aerodrome. During the arrival procedure for runway 16, the pilot performed an initial approach that resulted in a go-around after the aircraft arrived at the threshold at an excessive speed of 88.5 KIAS, significantly exceeding the 70 KIAS reference speed specified in the flight manual.
On the second approach attempt, the aircraft arrived at the runway threshold at 81 KIAS. Upon initial contact with the runway, the aircraft bounced due to high vertical speed. The pilot attempted to continue the landing rather than performing another go-around. This second touchdown was a heavy three-point landing that exceeded the energy absorption capacity of the landing gear, causing the tailwheel and both main landing gear legs to collapse. The aircraft then slid along the runway on its fuselage and wingtips, veering left before coming to a stop on the unpaved terrain near the edge of the runway.
The investigation
Investigators analyzed GPS data to reconstruct the flight path and calculate the true and indicated airspeeds during both approach attempts. The investigation compared these speeds against the aircraft's flight manual requirements. The analysis confirmed that the aircraft was flying significantly above the recommended approach and reference speeds (VREF) during both the aborted attempt and the actual accident sequence. The investigation also examined the structural integrity of the aircraft and the landing gear components following the impact.
Findings
- The pilot conducted the first approach at 88.5 KIAS, which was 18.5 KIAS above the manual's recommended speed.
- The second approach was also flown at an excessive speed of 81 KIAS, exceeding the 70 KIAS limit by 11 KIAS.
- The primary cause of the accident was the incorrect execution of the landing maneuver due to excessive aircraft speed during the entire approach and the subsequent recovery attempt following the bounce.
- The pilot's decision to continue the landing after the initial bounce, rather than executing a second go-around, contributed to the structural failure of the gear.