What happened
On July 13, 2001, at approximately 19:00, a PIPER PA-28-140, registration EC-CSX, was conducting a dual-instruction flight originating from Cuatro Vientos. While performing maneuvers near the Casarrubios del Monte aerodrome in Toledo, the aircraft was on final approach to runway 26. During this phase, the aircraft's flight path dropped below the intended glide slope. In an attempt to correct the descent and reach the paved surface, the instructor increased engine power.
As the aircraft approached the runway, it struck the ground in the runway strip area preceding the threshold. The impact caused the right main landing gear to shear off at its connection to the airframe. After being alerted to the loss of the gear by a pilot in a nearby aircraft, the instructor managed to keep the aircraft level during the landing roll. However, as the airspeed decreased, the flight controls lost effectiveness, causing the right wingtip to contact the runway. This resulted in the aircraft pivoting and veering off the right side of the runway into the grass strip.
The crew successfully shut down the engine and exited the aircraft without injuries. The aircraft sustained important damage.
The investigation
Investigators examined the site along the runway centerline extension, noting visible drag marks on the asphalt caused by the right wingtip. The right main landing gear strut was found severed from the airframe structure. Physical inspection of the aircraft revealed widespread damage to the underside of the right wing, including the control surfaces, as well as damage to the lower rear fuselage near the tail skid assembly.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a crew error in maintaining the appropriate altitude during the final segment of the approach to runway 26.
- The attempt to correct a low glide path by increasing power led to the aircraft impacting the terrain before reaching the runway threshold.
- The impact with the ground caused the immediate failure of the right main landing gear.