What happened
On 23 January 2020, a DIAMOND D-40, registration OH-DTF, was performing a training flight at Córdoba Airport (LEBA) involving an instructor and a student pilot. The flight was intended to practice takeoffs and landings under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
After taking off from runway 03, the instructor reached an altitude of approximately 84 feet. At this point, the instructor moved the throttle to idle to simulate an engine failure during the takeoff phase. During the subsequent landing attempt, the aircraft made contact with the runway on all three wheels, causing the nose landing gear to collapse and the propeller to strike the ground. The impact caused the aircraft to bounce back into the air before landing again on its main gear. The aircraft then veered off the right side of the runway and came to a stop near the threshold of runway 21. Both occupants were uninjured and exited the aircraft under their own power.
The investigation
The investigation analyzed data from the aircraft's Garmin G1000 GPS, which recorded the flight profile. The GPS data showed the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 380 feet with an indicated airspeed of 71 knots. While this speed was above the maximum stall speed, it was below the speed required to reach a safe altitude as specified in the aircraft's manual.
The investigation also reviewed the flight school's standard operating procedures. The school's procedures for simulated engine stoppages require the maneuver to be performed at an altitude higher than 400 feet AGL, outside the aerodrome area, in a no-flaps configuration, and at a sustained airspeed of 88 knots. The investigation noted that the instructor's actions deviated significantly from these established safety guidelines.
Findings
- The flight was a dual-control training session involving an instructor and a student.
- The instructor initiated the simulated engine failure at an altitude of only about 22 meters (72 feet), which was well below the required 400 feet AGL.
- The maneuver was performed over the runway, contrary to the operator's procedures which mandate performing such maneuvers outside the aerodrome.
- The improperly executed landing maneuver led to the nose gear collapse and subsequent propeller damage.
- The aircraft's airspeed during the maneuver was insufficient to meet the safety requirements established by the flight school.