Student Pilot Exceeds Wind Limits During Solo Takeoff at Sabadell

Casualties unknown • Aeropuerto de Sabadell (Barcelona), ES

A student pilot's solo flight in a Tecnam P2002-JF resulted in a runway excursion after encountering crosswind conditions exceeding the school's safety limits.

What happened

On December 3, 2010, a student pilot was performing a scheduled solo instructional flight from Sabadell Airport (LELL). After completing pre-flight checks and receiving clearance from the control tower, the pilot lined up on runway 31. At the time of takeoff, the tower reported winds from 270 degrees at 10 knots, creating a crosswind component of approximately 6.42 knots.

As the Tecnam P2002-JF, registration EC-KJN, began its takeoff roll, the aircraft struck a bump on the runway, causing it to bounce and veer toward the left. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation using only the rudder pedals. Upon reaching an indicated airspeed of 40 knots, the pilot applied the brakes and cut the throttle to abort the takeoff. However, the aircraft departed the runway and struck a Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) unit. The incident resulted in significant damage to the aircraft's left wing and damage to one PAPI unit. No injuries were reported.

Probable cause

The incident was caused by the improper application of crosswind takeoff techniques by the student pilot. Contributing factors included the student's lack of experience, insufficient supervision by the flight school's instructors, and the school's failure to maintain updated flight manuals and enforce its own wind limitation policies.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2010-12-03 Tecnam P2001-JF Sierra accident near Aeropuerto de Sabadell (Barcelona), ES?

A student pilot's solo flight in a Tecnam P2002-JF resulted in a runway excursion after encountering crosswind conditions exceeding the school's safety limits.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2010-12-03 involved a Tecnam P2001-JF Sierra, registration EC-KJN, at Aeropuerto de Sabadell (Barcelona), ES.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The incident was caused by the improper application of crosswind takeoff techniques by the student pilot. Contributing factors included the student's lack of experience, insufficient supervision by the flight school's instructors, and the school's failure to maintain updated flight manuals and enforce its own wind…

Investigation report by the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC). Original record: https://www.transportes.gob.es/recursos_mfom/2010_038_in_eng_0.pdf. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviacion Civil (CIAIAC), Spain - Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible.

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