Accident Overview
On 3 October 2015 at 1328 UTC, a Piper PA-16 (serial number: EI-AEL) experienced a ground loop during landing at Enniskillen Airport, County Fermanagh. The aircraft, manufactured in 1949 and powered by a single Lycoming O-235-C1B piston engine, was on a private flight from Letterkenny Airfield, County Donegal, with one pilot and one passenger on board. Neither occupant reported any injuries.
Landing Sequence
The approach to Runway 15 was described by the pilot as "entirely stable in terms of height and speed." After touchdown, the aircraft immediately ground-looped to the right, coming to rest with the right main landing gear collapsed inward beneath the fuselage. The subsequent damage included the right main landing gear, the propeller, and the right wing.
Post-Accident Examination
Inspection revealed that several structural elements of the right main landing gear had fractured, apparently due to overload. This failure pattern was consistent with a right sideslip condition at the moment of touchdown. The pilot expressed uncertainty whether the ground loop resulted from the gear collapse or whether the loop precipitated the collapse. He suggested the right brake might have been locked during landing, but the wheel was found to rotate freely during post-accident checks.
Pilot Information
The commander, aged 73, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 1,623 total flight hours, of which 1,520 were on the Piper PA-16 type. In the preceding 90 days, he had flown 24 hours, with 11 hours in the last 28 days.
Damage Assessment
Damage was limited to the right main landing gear, propeller, and right wing. The aircraft was not reported to have been destroyed or written off; the nature of damage indicated repair was possible.