2014 Piper PA-28-235 Runway Departure at Koksijde

Overview and Flight Details On 3 August 2014 at 11:00 UTC, a Piper PA-28-235 (C/N 28-7110004, manufactured in 1971) registered in the Netherlands departed the runway while landing at the Aerodrome of Koksijde (EBFN). The aircraft was operating a general aviation cross-country flight from Lelystad (EHLE) to Koksijde, where a fly-in event was organized by the West Aviation Aeroclub. Two Dutch-national pilots were on board, and no injuries were reported. ## Accident Sequence and Damage The pilot reported a normal approach in good meteorological conditions. During landing on Runway 29, the aircraft deviated to the left and left the runway, coming to rest in an adjacent field. The nose landing gear leg was broken, the propeller was bent, and visible damage was found to the engine firewall. ## Meteorological Conditions At 11:00 UTC at EBFN, the wind was from 260° at 8 kt, with visibility greater than 15 km, a temperature of 27.2°C, a dew point of 12.6°C, and QNH of 1012.5 hPa. Clouds included 2/8 cumulus at 1,500 ft, 5/8 stratocumulus at 4,000 ft, and 6/8 at 6,000 ft. The investigation noted the wind conditions were acceptable, with a headwind of approximately 7.8 kt and crosswind of approximately 4.3 kt. ## Wreckage Inspection Initial inspection found the nose landing gear leg bent 90° rearward, one propeller blade bent backwards, and deformed tubes in the nose landing gear support structure. The nose wheel steering was found functioning, and all damage was attributed to the impact with the ground during the final meters of the ground run in the grass. Pictures showed the rudder deflected to the left when the aircraft was resting. A second inspection on 11 September 2014, conducted with the support of the maintenance organization disassembling the aircraft for road transport, tested the nose wheel steering, rudder control system, and brake system. Continuity of the nose wheel steering and rudder control was verified, and no pre-impact anomaly was found. The rudder pedals moved in both directions, with the torque tubes turning and the rudder deflecting accordingly. Brake testing showed each brake working normally, and the parking brake showed no anomaly. ## Findings and Probable Cause The investigation found no mechanical anomaly explaining the deviation at landing. The probable cause was that the pilot likely applied pressure on both brake pedals at or immediately after landing, causing a right wheel lock-up and an imbalance in braking efficiency between the wheels. The locked right wheel braked less than the other wheel, causing a deviation to the left. A reflex reaction by the pilot may have been to increase pressure on the right rudder/brake pedal, maintaining the phenomenon. ## Safety Actions No generic safety issue was identified, and no safety recommendations were made. The investigation was conducted as a limited-scope, fact-gathering investigation and analysis to produce a short summary report, in accordance with Annex 13 and EU regulation EU 996/2010.