Runway Excursion Involving a Socata Tobago TB 10 at Salamanca Airport (EC-FTE)

Incident Overview On 20 August 2002 at 20:25 local time, a Socata Tobago TB 10 with registration EC-FTE was involved in a runway excursion at Salamanca Airport in the province of Salamanca. The aircraft, manufactured in 1993 and powered by a single Textron Lycoming O-360-A1AD engine, was operating under general aviation instruction as a solo flight. ## Flight Details The pilot in command was an 18-year-old student pilot with 26 total flight hours. During the landing roll, the aircraft departed the runway via a taxiway exit and skidded off the right edge of the runway. ## Damage and Injuries The pilot was uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage primarily to the nose wheel, propeller tips, lower engine area and oil pan, and the marginal edge of the left wing. No other damage was reported. ## Investigation and Conclusions According to the pilot's account, the pilot attempted to reduce runway occupancy time by accelerating the engine toward the taxiway exit. To stop, the pilot applied asymmetric braking, which could not be controlled, causing the aircraft to skid to the left. In an attempt to regain control and counteract the leftward movement, the pilot lost control and the aircraft exited the runway on the right side. Although wind conditions were favorable, with 4 knots of wind without gusts and visibility greater than 10,000 meters, the pilot's lack of experience contributed to the loss of control. The longitudinal speed at the time of applying asymmetric braking was higher than recommended.