Cessna 525 strikes runway lights during takeoff at A Coruña

Casualties unknown • Aeropuerto de A Coruña (A Coruña), ES

A medical transport flight involving a Cessna 525 struck two runway edge lights during its takeoff roll at A Coruña Airport, causing minor damage to the nose gear.

What happened

On 21 February 2021, a CESSNA 525, registration D-IPOD, operated by ProAir Aviation GmbH, was performing an urgent organ transport flight from A Coruña Airport (LECO) to Vigo (LEVX). The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) at night, with a wet runway due to recent rain.

During the takeoff roll on runway 21, the co-pilot was acting as the pilot flying (PF) under the supervision of the captain. As the aircraft approached decision speed (V1), the aircraft began to deviate from the runway centerline. The captain, acting as the pilot monitoring (PNF), attempted to intervene to correct the alignment. However, as the aircraft reached rotation speed (108 kt), the nose landing gear struck two runway edge lights located on the western side of the runway. The impact caused minor damage to the nose gear wheel fork and destroyed the two lighting units.

Following the impact, the crew checked the aircraft systems and, given the urgency of the medical mission, decided to continue the flight. They notified air traffic control, which confirmed the damage to the lights. The aircraft successfully landed at Vigo and later completed the mission to Madrid without further incident. \n## The investigation

The investigation focused on the execution of the takeoff maneuver and the crew's response to the deviation. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the airport's lighting infrastructure, and the crew's operational procedures. The investigation also reviewed the operator's subsequent corrective actions, including additional training for both pilots.

Findings

  • The aircraft was initially aligned with the runway centerline at the start of the takeoff run.
  • The co-pilot, who was relatively new to the aircraft type, failed to maintain the centerline during the rapid acceleration of the takeoff.
  • The captain did not have his feet on the rudder pedals at the moment he noticed the deviation, which prevented a timely and effective correction of the aircraft's trajectory.
  • The captain's decision to continue the takeoff after exceeding V1 was appropriate, as the aircraft was already at a speed where an aborted takeoff was no longer a safe option.
  • The impact with the runway edge lights was a direct result of the lateral deviation from the centerline.

Probable cause

The incident was caused by a failure to adhere to takeoff procedures, specifically an incorrect execution of the takeoff run where the pilot flying allowed the aircraft to deviate from the centerline and the pilot monitoring was unable to correct the path due to improper foot positioning on the rudder pedals.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2021-02-21 CESSNA modelo CITATION 525-C accident near Aeropuerto de A Coruña (A Coruña), ES?

A medical transport flight involving a Cessna 525 struck two runway edge lights during its takeoff roll at A Coruña Airport, causing minor damage to the nose gear.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2021-02-21 involved a CESSNA modelo CITATION 525-C, registration D-IPOD, at Aeropuerto de A Coruña (A Coruña), ES.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The incident was caused by a failure to adhere to takeoff procedures, specifically an incorrect execution of the takeoff run where the pilot flying allowed the aircraft to deviate from the centerline and the pilot monitoring was unable to correct the path due to improper foot positioning on the rudder pedals.

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