What happened
On July 6, 2013, an Aero Boero AB-180, registration PP-GLJ, was performing a local training flight at the Formosa Aerodrome in Goiás, Brazil. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) with a single pilot on board. The weather conditions featured a right crosswind of approximately 10 knots.
Following a normal landing, the aircraft decelerated to a speed between 30 and 40 mph. At this stage, the aircraft began drifting to the right, upwind. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation using left rudder pedal input, but the maneuver was ineffective, likely due to insufficient airflow over the rudder at low speeds. To prevent the aircraft from exiting the runway, the pilot applied the left brake. This application of differential braking induced a sharp left yaw, causing the aircraft to pivot violently. During this maneuver, the right wing struck the ground, and the aircraft slid toward the left side of the runway. In a final attempt to stay on the pavement, the pilot applied full braking, which caused the spinner and propeller to strike the ground. The aircraft came to a stop in a nose-down position with the tail elevated, sustaining substantial structural damage. The pilot was uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation examined the mechanical condition of the aircraft and the pilot's actions. Investigators confirmed that the main landing gear wheels were rotating freely and the brakes showed no signs of malfunction. The aircraft's airworthiness documentation, including the engine, propeller, and airframe logs, were all up to date.
The investigation noted that the AB-180, a high-wing monoplane with conventional landing gear, is aerodynamically sensitive to crosswinds, particularly during low-speed ground operations. The investigation specifically analyzed the effectiveness of the rudder at low speeds and the impact of differential braking on the aircraft's directional stability.