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Piper PA-21 Nose Gear Collapse at Barcelona Airport (EC-CDS)

Aeropuerto de Barcelona (Barcelona), ES

On September 13, 2003, a Piper PA-31 (registration EC-CDS) was involved in an aviation accident near Aeropuerto de Barcelona (Barcelona), ES. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The most probable cause was that the nose gear did not complete its extension and locking sequence prior to ground contact, potentially exacerbated by low tire pressure or a valve malfunction. This summary draws on records from the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC)Primary reportUpdated 2026-10-18Data APIEditorial standards

On September 13, 2003, a Piper PA-21 (EC-CDS) operated by Tadair suffered nose gear collapse during landing at Barcelona. The aircraft sustained significant damage, but both crew members were unharmed.

Incident Overview

On Saturday, September 13, 2003, at 03:15 local time, a Piper PA-21 with registration EC-CDS experienced an incident while landing at Barcelona Airport. The aircraft was operated by Tadair, S.A., and was on a commercial positioning flight from Palma de Mallorca. During the landing roll on runway 02, the nose gear folded prematurely just before the intersection of two runways.

Damage and Injuries

The aircraft sustained significant damage, including to the nose gear doors, the nose tire, both propellers, and the left main gear shock absorber. Despite the structural failure, both occupants—a pilot-in-command aged 29 and a co-pilot aged 22—were unharmed and exited the aircraft without difficulty.

Investigation Findings

Inspection revealed that the nose wheel valve had been severed, causing a deflation. The left main gear shock absorber was found to be collapsed with hydraulic fluid loss, indicating a hard landing with significant vertical velocity. Ground tests confirmed the landing gear mechanism functioned correctly after the incident. Investigators concluded that the nose gear likely had not fully extended and locked before touchdown, possibly due to low tire pressure or a valve issue during the flight.

Probable cause

The most probable cause was that the nose gear did not complete its extension and locking sequence prior to ground contact, potentially exacerbated by low tire pressure or a valve malfunction.

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Piper PA-31 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 13 Sept 2003 Piper PA-31 accident near Aeropuerto de Barcelona (Barcelona), ES?

On September 13, 2003, a Piper PA-21 (EC-CDS) operated by Tadair suffered nose gear collapse during landing at Barcelona. The aircraft sustained significant damage, but both crew members were unharmed.

Were there any fatalities in the 13 Sept 2003 Piper PA-31 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 13 Sept 2003 involved a Piper PA-31, registration EC-CDS, at Aeropuerto de Barcelona (Barcelona), ES.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The most probable cause was that the nose gear did not complete its extension and locking sequence prior to ground contact, potentially exacerbated by low tire pressure or a valve malfunction.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC). Original record: https://www.transportes.gob.es/recursos_mfom/2003_058_in.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.