What happened
On September 2, 2009, at approximately 12:30 local time, an AISA I-115, registration EC-DEO, was performing a local flight test at the San Luis-Menorca aerodrome in the Balearic Islands. The flight was being conducted to perform the necessary tests and trials required for the renewal of the aircraft's Certificate of Airworthiness. The crew consisted of the pilot and an inspector from the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Weather conditions at the time were favorable, with clear skies, temperatures of 28 °C, and winds below 5 knots. The aircraft departed from runway 02 at approximately 11:00 local time and successfully completed the required flight tests. However, during the final approach for landing on the same runway, a sudden lateral wind gust displaced the aircraft to the left of the runway centerline. The aircraft touched down off the paved surface, and the landing roll continued on the unpaved ground. After a turn of nearly 180 degrees, the aircraft came to a stop approximately 30 meters from the runway axis and 650 meters from the runway threshold, near some bushes.
There were no injuries to the two occupants, and no fire occurred. The aircraft sustained significant damage, including a broken right landing gear leg, damage to the right wing, and a bent propeller tip.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's handling characteristics and the pilot's response to environmental factors. It was noted that the AISA I-115 is a single-engine, tandem-seat trainer with a wooden structure. Due to its large lateral profile from the fuselage and tail, this specific model has a known sensitivity to crosswind gusts, particularly during low-speed flight. The investigation established that such gusts require immediate correction by the pilot to prevent a loss of control.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the pilot's insufficient reaction to a lateral wind gust during the landing maneuver.
- The aircraft's design makes it particularly susceptible to crosswind gusts due to its large side area.
- The aircraft's maintenance was found to be adequate at the time of the occurrence.