What happened
Three distinct incidents occurred at the Torraccia airfield (LIKD) involving different aircraft types and circumstances:
- April 14, 2017: A Fournier RF 5, registration D-KIMP, was performing a local VFR flight. During the landing for runway 34, the aircraft's right wing struck trees near the runway threshold, causing the plane to rotate 180 degrees and come to rest in thick brush. There were no injuries to the two occupants.
- June 11, 2010: A Cessna 172L, registration I-SVFD, was conducting a flight instructor training mission. After landing on runway 34, the pilot attempted to regain flight to prevent an overrun, but the aircraft failed to lift and instead struck an embankment 60 meters beyond the runway end, resulting in a fire. The aircraft was destroyed, and the two occupants sustained injuries (one laceration-contusion and one craniofacial trauma).
- October 14, 2009: A Reims Cessna F 182Q, registration I-JULJ, was on a tourist flight. Upon landing on runway 34, the aircraft failed to decelerate sufficiently and overran the runway threshold, flipping over due to uneven terrain. There were no injuries to the three occupants, though the aircraft sustained extensive damage.
The investigation
The ANSV conducted these investigations (primarily as desk investigations) to determine the sequence of events and contributing factors. The investigation examined the specific topography of the Torraccia airfield, which is situated on a series of terraces. The runway (16/34) features a significant slope between the two thresholds, with runway 34 presenting an uphill gradient toward its end. The investigators also reviewed aircraft performance manuals, meteorological data, and pilot experience levels.
Findings
Across all three incidents, the primary cause was identified as human error related to inadequate management of the landing phase. Specific contributing factors included:
- Inadequate performance assessment: In the 2010 and 2009 incidents, the pilots failed to properly evaluate the aircraft's stopping distance relative to the available runway length, especially considering the grass surface and environmental conditions.
- Environmental factors: The presence of tailwinds (2010), wet runway conditions due to rain (2009), and potential optical illusions caused by the airfield's hilly topography (2017) all played roles in destabilizing the approaches or braking effectiveness.
- Procedural non-compliance: In the 2009 accident, the pilot failed to follow manual recommendations for short-field landings, specifically regarding flap retraction to maximize braking.
- Pilot experience: Limited experience on specific aircraft types was noted in the 2017 and 2010 incidents.