What happened
On September 28, 2023, at approximately 19:17 local time, a private pilot was conducting a recreational flight at the Peumo Aerodrome (SCPW) in Chile. The flight, which included one passenger, originally planned to perform a touch-and-go maneuver on runway 28.
Upon arrival, the pilot performed a low pass to inspect the runway conditions. During the first approach, the pilot aborted the maneuver because the aircraft was too high. During a subsequent second approach intended for the touch-and and go, the position of the sun caused significant glare, blinding the pilot and resulting in a loss of visual references. The aircraft made contact with the runway at the end of the first third of the pavement.
Attempting to transition from the touch-and-go to a full landing, the pilot failed to decelerate sufficiently. The Cessna 172N overran the end of the runway, crossed a mound of earth and a ditch, and ultimately struck an orange tree 136 meters beyond the runway threshold. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained significant damage to the wings, landing gear, and engine cowling.
The investigation
DGAC Chile examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed the plane had undergone its annual inspection less than 90 hours prior to the accident. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight experience and the environmental conditions at the time of the event.
Investigators utilized photographic evidence to confirm that the sun's position at the time of the accident would have created intense luminosity and glare for an aircraft approaching runway 28. The investigation also analyzed the aircraft's performance capabilities, noting that according to the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), the required landing distance was significantly less than the remaining runway available at the moment of touchdown.
Findings
- The pilot failed to evaluate the impact of sun position and luminosity during the initial approach.
- The pilot did not alter the flight plan to use the opposite runway (runway 10), which would have avoided the sun glare.
- The pilot experienced a loss of situational awareness due to the blinding light.
- The pilot failed to abort the touch-and-go maneuver despite the deteriorating visual conditions.
- The pilot applied the brakes too late to stop the aircraft within the remaining runway length.
- The aircraft maintained high speed through the third of the runway, contributing to the overrun.