What happened
On November 30, 2010, a Piper PA-18, registration PP-GKG, was performing a ferry flight from Veranópolis to Passo Fundo, Brazil, to undergo a scheduled 50-hour inspection. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) in favorable meteorological conditions.
Upon landing at the Passo Fundo aerodrome (SBPF) on runway 26, the aircraft experienced a sudden leftward yaw. In an attempt to correct the deviation, the pilot's actions resulted in the failure of the right landing gear leg. This caused the right wingtip and the propeller to strike the runway surface. The aircraft eventually came to a stop 180 degrees from its original landing heading. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained heavy damage to the engine and landing gear, along with minor damage to the fuselage and right wing.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the aircraft's handling during the landing phase. Investigators noted that while the wind was within the aircraft's operational limits, the 8-knot left crosswind component was significant enough to require precise control. The investigation examined the pilot's flight experience, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The primary contributing factor was the inadequate application of flight controls to counteract the left crosswind component during the landing roll.
- The pilot likely failed to correctly identify and assess the impact of the crosswind, leading to an insufficient correction using the rudder and ailerons.
- The mechanical failure of the right landing gear leg was a direct consequence of the lateral load induced by the uncontrolled yaw.
- The aircraft's weight and balance were within manufacturer specifications, and all required maintenance and certifications were up to date.