Event
On 24 April 2004, at 15:05 local time, a Piper PA-28 Cherokee, registration EC-FRQ, was performing a local instructional solo flight. The aircraft landed on Runway 10 at Cuatro Vientos Airport in Madrid. During the landing roll, while attempting to exit the runway via the rapid exit taxiway, the pilot lost directional control. The aircraft veered to the right side of the runway, and the right wing tip struck a runway distance remaining sign. After the impact, the aircraft continued taxiing to the apron. No personal injuries occurred.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was a Piper PA-28 Cherokee, powered by a single Textron Lycoming O-320-D3G engine. It was operated by Aeromadrid. The sole occupant was a 23-year-old student pilot with a total of 36 flying hours, all on type. The flight was a solo instructional local flight.
Damage and Investigation
The aircraft sustained minor damage limited to the right wing tip. The distance remaining sign, which was located at the edge of the paved area within the runway strip, was destroyed. The sign measured 1.23 m by 1.23 m with a depth of 41 cm and was mounted on 27 cm frangible supports. The impact occurred on the upper part of the sign, and although the sign panel and frame were damaged, the frangible supports did not fail. Inspection of the runway surface revealed skid marks from the main landing gear approximately 8 meters before the point of excursion, indicating a hard brake application and a deviation to the right. The sign, which had been installed for over three years, was of a type based on FAA and ICAO standards.
Probable Cause
The most probable cause of the runway excursion was that the student pilot, having pre-planned the intention to exit at the rapid exit taxiway, applied brakes abruptly while still at a high speed, losing directional control of the aircraft.