What happened
On November 5, 2019, a Cozy III amateur-built experimental aircraft, registration EC-XGZ, was performing a local recreational flight departing from and returning to Girona Airport. The flight was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) by a single pilot.
During the final approach to runway 20, the pilot maintained an airspeed between 85 and 95 knots. Approximately ten meters above the ground, a strong wind gust lifted the right wing, causing the left wing to drop. This maneuver resulted in the left main landing gear striking the runway surface with significant force. The impact caused the left main gear leg to detach from the aircraft. Following the separation, the aircraft slid approximately twenty meters along the runway before coming to a halt. The pilot was able to shut down the engine and exit the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, meteorological conditions, and the physical wreckage. Investigators found that the aircraft's documentation and the pilot's license and medical certificate were all valid. Maintenance records indicated that the aircraft and engine had been inspected and serviced approximately 13 flight hours prior to the accident.
Analysis of the wreckage revealed that the left main gear leg and the nose gear leg sustained significant damage. Fragments of wood from a propeller blade were found embedded in the left main gear wheel, indicating that the detached wheel struck the propeller during the sliding phase. The investigation also considered the position of the sun, but determined that the solar elevation of 32 degrees was unlikely to have caused glare significant enough to impair the pilot's vision. Meteorological data confirmed that while winds were within the aircraft's design limits, there was variable wind direction and gusty conditions present at the time of landing.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of control at low altitude due to wind gusts, which led to the aircraft impacting the runway.
- The impact caused the separation of the left main landing gear leg.
- The subsequent sliding of the aircraft caused the detached wheel to strike the propeller, damaging the blades.
- The nose gear leg also sustained damage due to the impact with the runway surface.
- There were no injuries to the pilot.