What happened
On February 10, 2022, a private pilot was conducting a local flight departing from the Cañal Bajo - Carlos Hott Siebert Aerodrome (SCJO) in Osorlo, Chile. After approximately 30 minutes of flight, the pilot attempted to land on runway 15. While on final approach, the Cessna 172N was impacted by wind conditions that caused the aircraft to deviate from its intended path and descend more rapidly than planned.
As the aircraft approached the runway threshold, the pilot lost control, causing the right wing and propeller to strike the ground. The impact resulted in the separation of the nose landing gear, and the aircraft came to a rest on unpaved terrain approximately 20 meters from the edge of runway 15. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained significant damage, including a bent propeller, engine component damage, and structural deformation to the fuselage and wings.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's credentials, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the event. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid private pilot license and all necessary ratings. Maintenance logs showed that the aircraft had undergone its most recent annual inspections and was in compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Investigators also analyzed the air traffic controller's observations, which noted that while the initial approach appeared normal, the right wing suddenly dipped as the aircraft neared the threshold. Meteorological data from the time of the accident indicated variable winds between 140 and 260 degrees at approximately 10 knots. While the pilot reported that wind conditions caused the deviation, the investigation found that these wind conditions were not severe enough to significantly disrupt standard operations.
Findings
- The pilot performed an unstable approach during the final stage of landing.
- The aircraft made contact with the ground before reaching the runway threshold.
- The pilot engaged in overcontrol of the flight controls in an attempt to correct the deviation, which led to a loss of control in flight.
- The aircraft's right wing and propeller struck the terrain, causing the nose gear to break away.
- Although variable winds were present, they were not a primary cause of the accident, as they were within manageable limits for the operation.