Incident Overview
On January 17, 2020, a fatal aviation accident occurred involving a Pipistrel Alpha Trainer aircraft. The incident took place at Fundo La Virgen, located approximately two kilometers northwest of the La Victoria de Chacabuco aerodrome (SCVH) in the Colina commune, Metropolitan Region of Chile.
Flight Operations and Sequence of Events
The flight was part of a private pilot training program, specifically Stage 11, which included maneuvers such as slow flight, stalls, and wide turns. The aircraft departed from runway 21 at SCVH at approximately 08:42 local time. Following takeoff, the aircraft maintained an altitude between 3,500 and 3,600 feet while conducting training exercises.
At 08:56 local time, surveillance camera footage captured the aircraft entering a spin condition with left-hand turns. As the aircraft descended toward the ground, a member of the flight crew activated the ballistic parachute rescue system. However, due to the low altitude at the time of activation, the system did not have sufficient time to complete its deployment process.
Impact and Aftermath
The aircraft impacted the terrain while still in a spin configuration. Upon impact, the airframe caught fire, producing a column of black smoke. The post-accident inspection revealed extensive damage, including burned fuselage structures, melted engine components, and deformed control surfaces. The parachute container was found deployed but ineffective in preventing the crash.
Casualties
Both individuals on board sustained fatal injuries. The flight crew consisted of an instructor pilot and a student pilot. No other persons were injured, and there were no reported damages to third parties beyond the immediate impact site.