What happened
On June 29, 2012, a Piper PA-18, registration PP-GJA, was performing a scenic flight departing from and returning to the Bauru Aeroclube in São Paulo, Brazil. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger.
Upon returning to the airfield, the aircraft made its initial touchdown on the runway. Immediately following the first contact, the aircraft exhibited a strong tendency to yaw to the right. The pilot attempted to counteract this movement using the rudder pedals; however, the directional instability worsened. This loss of ground control caused the aircraft to veer off the runway, resulting in the failure of the left main landing gear and the left wingtip striking the ground. The aircraft eventually came to a stop on the grass area to the right of the runway. Both occupants of the aircraft were uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation confirmed that the pilot held valid medical and technical certifications and was qualified for the operation, with 245 total flight hours, including 40 hours in this specific model. The aircraft's airworthiness and registration certificates were up to date, and all maintenance records were current.
Investigators examined the runway conditions and identified several infrastructure issues at the aerodrome, including potholes, overgrown vegetation, missing manhole covers, and craters adjacent to the runway surface.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left main landing gear, the left wing, the fuselage, and the empennage.
- The primary factor in the excursion was the uncontrolled rightward yaw following the initial touchdown, which led to the loss of runway centerline.
- Substandard runway conditions, including surface irregularities and lack of maintenance, were noted at the facility.