Accident
On 25 August 2022 at 12:26 local time, a Piper PA-34-200 twin-engine aircraft, registration EC-IHS, operated by Air Pull Aviation, suffered a runway excursion while landing on runway 30 at Requena Aerodrome (LERE) in Valencia, Spain. The aircraft was conducting a proficiency test for a commercial pilot license (CPL) and multi-engine rating. The aircraft overran the runway, struck a fence and four trees beyond the runway end, and sustained substantial damage. The two occupants—a student pilot and an examiner—were uninjured.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was a Piper PA-34-200, owned by Dédalo Aviación and operated by Air Pull Aviation, a training organization certified by AESA. The flight crew consisted of a student pilot (left seat) undergoing an ATPL(A) integrated course, and an examiner (right seat). Both were uninjured.
Sequence of Events
The student arrived at the aerodrome around 09:00 to prepare for the exam. The examiner, who had been staying at the aerodrome since Tuesday, also arrived at about 09:00. The flight was initially planned to Valencia Airport, but the examiner changed the destination to Castellón Airport due to expected high traffic at Valencia. A new ATS flight plan was filed at 10:27 and accepted at 10:32. The student later noted that the planning for the new destination was rushed.
After engine start at 10:48, the aircraft taxied at 10:52 and departed at 11:00. The flight proceeded visually to Castellón, entered its control zone, performed a holding pattern, and conducted a touch-and-go on runway 06 at 11:42. The aircraft then departed the control zone southbound.
Returning to Requena, the crew made four circuits and approaches. The first three approaches were not completed. On the fourth attempt, the aircraft touched down long and fast on runway 30. It was unable to stop within the remaining runway distance, overran the end, and struck a fence and four trees.
Probable Cause
The investigation concluded that the probable cause of the accident was the landing being performed with excess speed and after the first third of the runway. Contributing factors included the erroneous selection of the runway by the crew, which led to operating with a tailwind, and the examiner's decision to continue the landing.
The report contained no safety recommendations.