What happened
On June 13, 2006, at 10:25 local time, an Aerostar PA-61-601P, registration EC-ICG, was performing a private flight from Reus to Madrid-Cuatro Vientos. During the landing phase on runway 10, the aircraft experienced a loss of directional control immediately following touchdown.
As the aircraft decelerated, the left main gear assembly began to deviate toward the left side of the runway. In an attempt to correct the deviation, the pilot increased power to the left engine. When the aircraft continued to drift, the pilot shut down both engines to prevent a complete departure from the runway. The aircraft eventually came to a stop near taxiway J3. The incident resulted in no fatalities and no injuries to the two occupants, though the aircraft sustained damage to the left main gear, including a broken torque link and tire puncture.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the landing gear and the maintenance history of the aircraft. Investigators examined the wreckage and runway markings, noting that the left main gear's torque link had suffered an instantaneous fracture without evidence of prior fatigue or corrosion. The investigation also scrutinized the maintenance records provided by the maintenance facility, Sporavia.
Investigators discovered that while the aircraft was subject to Airworthiness Directive AD-93-13-08—which required periodic liquid penetrant inspections for the original torque link design—the maintenance records contained significant errors. Specifically, the records falsely indicated that an upgraded aluminum torque link kit had been installed in May 2003. In reality, the aircraft was still operating with the original, more vulnerable design. Furthermore, the required 100-hour inspections for the original part had not been performed for at least two years due to this erroneous documentation.
Findings
- The left main gear torque link fractured due to an overload caused by a heavy touchdown and the likely application of brakes that locked the left wheel.
- The aircraft was operating with an older, less resistant torque link design that was prone to failure.
- The maintenance facility incorrectly recorded the installation of an upgraded kit, which led to the cessation of mandatory periodic inspections.
- The landing was characterized by a heavy touchdown and a possible braking error that contributed to the mechanical stress on the gear.
- Discrepancies and calculation errors were present in the aircraft and engine maintenance logs.