What happened
On May 16, 2024, a Tecnam P2008 JC, registration SP-FAN, departed from EPGD for a training flight to EPSK. The flight was intended to practice engine failure simulations and go-around procedures. During the third attempt at a simulated engine failure, the instructor reduced engine power to idle at approximately 1,300 feet on the pattern.
As the aircraft approached the runway, the student pilot attempted to manage the descent while maintaining control. However, during the final stages of the approach, the aircraft's airspeed dropped significantly. At an altitude of approximately 3 meters, the pilot applied back pressure on the controls, causing the aircraft to bank sharply to the right and stall. The aircraft struck the ground on its main landing gear and nose gear, subsequently sliding approximately 12 meters before the left wing made contact with the terrain. The impact caused damage to the nose gear, left wing, and propeller blade.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined flight data from the Garmin G-3X system and analyzed airport surveillance footage. The investigation revealed that the crew's accounts of the landing phase—specifically regarding a period of level flight (flare) and power application—were inconsistent with the recorded data. The surveillance footage and flight parameters confirmed that the aircraft was in a continuous descent with a rapid loss of airspeed and a developing right bank approximately 10 seconds before the stall.
Findings
- The primary cause was the student pilot's improper planning of the landing pattern during the engine failure simulation, which failed to ensure sufficient altitude and distance to reach the runway, leading to the stall.
- The instructor failed to provide adequate supervision or intervene to correct the errors made during the previous two unsuccessful approaches.
- High crosswind components, reaching up to 22 knots (exceeding the aircraft's demonstrated maximum of 15 knots), complicated the approach.
- The student pilot's attention was excessively focused on the external terrain, leading to an incorrect assessment of the aircraft's altitude.
- Contributing factors included the instructor's limited experience with the Tecnam P2008 JC, a significant flight gap for the student pilot, and gusty wind conditions.