What happened
On July 19, 2015, at 18:32 UTC, a BRM Land Africa Impala, registration CS-URZ, was performing a local solo instruction flight at Santa Maria Airport (LPAZ) in the Azores. After completing the first circuit pattern for runway 18, the student pilot attempted a touch-and-go maneuver. During this phase, the pilot experienced a hard contact with the runway surface, which immediately triggered a nose gear collapse. The aircraft's nose dropped abruptly, causing the propeller to strike the ground. The aircraft came to a stop a few meters ahead of the collapse point. The student pilot was uninjured, and the aircraft sustained only minor damage.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the structural integrity of the aircraft's landing gear and the adequacy of existing maintenance and regulatory frameworks. The investigators analyzed the design of the nose landing gear and the operational limitations of the aircraft model. The investigation also reviewed previous similar incidents involving the same aircraft model, including occurrences involving registrations CS-UTK and CS-UQM, to determine if a pattern of structural failure existed.
Findings
- The investigation identified structural weaknesses in the model's design and flaws in the regulatory framework used for its approval.
- There were indications of material fatigue at the connection between the leg and the fork, which may have weakened the component prior to the impact.
- The aircraft's maintenance manual provided insufficient guidance for safe operations, specifically lacking detailed inspection instructions for critical components like the fork attachments.
- The existing national regulations for the construction, operation, and licensing of ultralight aircraft in Portugal were found to be outdated and unable to meet the needs of the modern aeronautical community.
Safety action
- The investigation highlighted the necessity for manufacturers to clearly disclose all operational limitations and provide unambiguous instructions for detailed inspections of components prone to fatigue, such as checking fork attachments for cracks.
- The investigators noted the need for a revision of national regulations to better support the design, manufacturing, and validation of aeronautical engineering projects within the domestic industry.