What happened
On February 15, 2014, at 14:55 local time, a PIPER SENECA II, registration EC-HYP, was performing a flight test for multi-engine and instrument ratings at Sabadell Airport (LELL). During the landing phase on runway 31, the aircraft encountered a left crosswind of approximately 15 km/h, with gusts up to 25 km/h.
The pilot performed a hard landing characterized by excessive vertical speed, which resulted in the aircraft bouncing. During the maneuver, the student pilot inadvertently applied the right brake pedal while attempting to correct for the crosswind. This action, combined with the impact of the hard landing, caused the right main tire to burst.
As the aircraft continued along the runway, the examiner took control to stabilize the flight; however, due to the loss of braking effectiveness on the right side, the aircraft could not be stopped within the paved surface and exited the runway on the right side. The aircraft came to a stop off the runway. Both the pilot and the examiner were uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the landing and the mechanical state of the aircraft. Investigators examined the maintenance records, which showed that the main gear tire covers had been replaced recently in October 201s3. The braking system was inspected following the incident and was found to be in perfect working order.
Witness statements from both the examiner and the student pilot were analyzed. The student pilot admitted to unconsciously applying the right brake pedal during the landing phase to manage the crosswind. The investigation also included a runway inspection by airport personnel, which confirmed there were no foreign objects on the runway that could have caused the tire failure.
Findings
- The landing involved excessive vertical speed and a hard impact.
- The student pilot inadvertently applied the right brake while using the rudder to correct for the crosswind.
- The combination of the brake application and the hard landing caused the right tire to burst.
- The loss of braking capability on the right side led to the runway excursion.
- The aircraft's braking system was fully functional following the event.