2001 Piper PA-28R Arrow II incident at Son Bonet Aerodrome (EC-CZH)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On April 1, 2001, at 11:35 local time, a Piper PA-28R Arrow II with registration EC-CZH was involved in an incident at Son Bonet Aerodrome in the Balearic Islands. The aircraft, powered by a single Lycoming IO-360-C1C engine, was operating under general aviation pleasure flight conditions. The pilot, a 58-year-old private pilot with 107.06 total flight hours and 60 hours on type, had been conducting takeoffs and landings at the uncontrolled aerodrome. After taking off at 10:57 and completing two full circuits, the aircraft was on its third landing attempt on runway 24 when the incident occurred. ## Sequence of Events and Impact During the landing roll, the aircraft began to deviate to the left. According to the pilot's statement, the deviation occurred after touchdown when the pilot's attention was diverted to adjusting the flap position from fully extended to 15 degrees. The pilot did not attempt to correct the turn, citing the risk of a rollover at the prevailing taxi speed. The aircraft eventually came to a stop near the protective fence surrounding the former radar site. The right wing of the aircraft struck one of the metal support posts of the fence, causing the post to yield. ## Damage, Injuries, and Contributing Factors The incident resulted in no injuries to the pilot or the two passengers. The aircraft sustained minor damage, specifically to the nose gear and the right wing. The fence post was also damaged. The aerodrome, featuring a single 1,000-meter runway (06/24) with no meteorological services, was operating under visual flight rules. Weather conditions at the time were favorable, with a 4-knot wind from 210 degrees, no clouds, good visibility, a QNH of 1,024 hPa, and a temperature of 18°C. The investigation concluded that the incident was caused by the pilot's inattention to ground trajectory control during the landing roll while occupied with modifying the flap position, leading to the leftward deviation and subsequent impact with the fence.