What happened
On October 1, 2022, at approximately 14:00 local time, a Cessna 172B was conducting a flight training review at El Salto Aerodrome (SCEO) in the Maule Region of Chile. The flight, which included a flight instructor and a student pilot, was performing left-hand traffic circuits for runway 21.
During the final approach, the aircraft descended below the intended glide path. As the aircraft made contact with the ground, the main landing gear struck a dirt mound located approximately 56.7 meters before the runway threshold. The impact caused the nose gear to fracture upon hitting the terrain, forcing the aircraft to slide 3/0 meters along the ground before coming to a stop. Both occupants of the aircraft escaped without injury, though the aircraft sustained significant structural damage, including a deformed left wing, a fractured nose gear leg, and propeller damage.
The investigation
DGAC Chile examined the flight logs, maintenance records, and the physical site of the accident. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's maintenance was up to date and that all required inspections had been performed by an approved organization. The crew members held valid licenses and medical certificates.
Investigators also analyzed the flight path and the environmental conditions. Meteorological data indicated clear skies and light winds, ruling out weather as a contributing factor. The investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the final approach and the presence of the obstacle. It was determined that the dirt mound was located outside the safety zone of the runway threshold and would not have been an obstacle had a stabilized approach been maintained.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an abnormal contact during landing when the main landing gear struck a dirt mound situated before the runway threshold.
- The flight instructor performed an unstabilized approach to runway 21.
- The pilot in command failed to execute a go-around (missed approach) despite the unstable flight parameters.
- The instructor experienced "channeled attention," a human factors phenomenon where focus becomes so concentrated on a single stimulus—in this case, the runway itself—that other critical flight parameters and the landing point are neglected.