What happened
On October 25, 2000, at approximately 18:25 local time, a Jodel D-1190-S, registration EC-BAT, was performing a general aviation pleasure flight. The aircraft departed from the Matilla de los Caños airfield with the intention of landing at Valladolid Airport to refuel. Due to a telephone line failure, the pilot was unable to fax a flight plan and instead activated the flight plan via radio after takeoff.
Upon approaching runway 05 at Valladolid Airport, the pilot received information regarding airport conditions and was cleared for the right base leg. The weather was reported as calm. During the landing roll, after traveling several meters on the main gear, the aircraft began to drift toward the right. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation by applying full left rudder, but the maneuver was unsuccessful.
In an attempt to regain control, the pilot applied the left brake. At that moment, the tailwheel made contact with the ground while the rudder and tailwheel were still positioned for a left turn. The combination of the braking force on the left wheel and the leftward tailwheel orientation caused the aircraft to pivot rapidly around its vertical axis. This sudden rotation changed the aircraft's orientation relative to the runway, causing it to skid further to the right and exit the paved surface.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's actions, the mechanical state of the aircraft, and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. The pilot, an experienced aviator with 4,500 total flight hours, provided a detailed account of the sequence of events. Investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure prior to the excursion, and meteorological conditions were found to be favorable with no adverse weather factors present.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage to the two main landing gear legs, which bent toward the left, and the propeller tips suffered minor damage, necessitating propeller and gear replacement.
- The loss of directional control was the primary factor in the excursion.
- Tailwheel aircraft, such as the Jodel D-1190-S, are highly sensitive to imbalances during the landing phase.
- The pilot's application of the left brake while the tailwheel was positioned for a left turn induced a rapid pivot that contributed to the loss of runway centerline.