What happened
On May 1, 2011, a Cessna 172R, registration EI-JSM, departed Sabadell Airport for a private flight to Igualada-Ódena Aerodrome with three occupants on board. While approaching the airfield, the pilot initiated a spiral descent from 3,000 ft, performing two left-hand turns and a subsequent wide turn to position the aircraft for landing on runway 17.
During this maneuver, the pilot perceived the aircraft to be too low and applied power, resulting in an excessive increase in altitude. The pilot then proceeded with a landing attempt using full flaps. The aircraft touched down approximately halfway down the runway, at which point the pilot lost control, causing the aircraft to veer toward the left edge of the runway. Despite attempts to stop the aircraft, it exited the runway, struck and destroyed the aerodrome's perimeter fence, and came to a rest near a roadside path. All three occupants were unharmed and able to egress the aircraft independently. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the left side, propeller, and nose wheel.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's flight maneuvers, the aircraft's technical state, and the airfield's operational procedures. It was established that the pilot did not follow the standard aerodrome traffic pattern, instead utilizing a spiral descent which he believed to be a standard procedure. The investigation also noted that the pilot received incorrect wind information via radio, which could have led to a tailwind landing had the reported wind conditions been accurate.
Furthermore, the investigation identified significant misconceptions in the pilot's training, specifically the belief that an uncontrolled aerodrome lacks established procedures and that a spiral descent is an appropriate approach method. The investigation also found that the pilot's approach was not stabilized, characterized by excessive altitude, excessive speed, and a lateral deviation from the runway centerline.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was an unstabilized approach.
- The pilot failed to follow the established aerodrome traffic pattern, opting for a spiral descent and a 360-degree turn prior to the runway threshold.
- The approach lacked stability due to excessive descent rate, excessive speed, and an oblique trajectory relative to the runway axis.
- The pilot's altitude during the final approach was likely excessive, starting well above 1,000 ft above the threshold.
- The pilot's lack of situational awareness regarding traffic and runway alignment contributed to the loss of control upon touchdown.