History of the Flight
On 23 January 2020, at 12:59 local time, a Diamond D-40 aircraft, registration OH-DTF, operated by the PATRIA flight school, was conducting training flights at Córdoba Airport (LEBA). On board were an instructor and a student pilot. The flight involved practicing takeoffs and landings on runway 03.
During the takeoff run, the instructor was at the controls. After rotating at approximately 380 meters down the runway, the aircraft became airborne. Seconds later, at an altitude of about 84 feet over the runway centerline, the instructor placed the throttle lever in idle to simulate an engine failure. The aircraft then landed.
Upon touchdown, all three wheels contacted the runway. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the propeller struck the ground. The aircraft briefly became airborne again before finally settling on its main landing gear. It continued rolling toward the runway 21 threshold, veered off the right side of the runway, and came to a stop adjacent to the runway.
Injuries to Persons
Neither the instructor nor the student pilot sustained any injuries. Both exited the aircraft under their own power. The student shut down the engine upon the instructor's request.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained significant damage to its landing gear, propeller, and bottom fairing.
Other Damage
No other property damage occurred.
Personnel Information
The instructor, aged 35, held a commercial pilot license (CPL(A)) with multi-engine piston land, instrument, and flight instructor ratings, all valid. He had a total of 346 flight hours, including 146 hours on the Diamond D-40 type.
The student pilot, aged 39, held a valid student pilot license (SPL(A)) and a Class II medical certificate. He had 7 hours and 12 minutes of total flight time, all on the Diamond D-40.
Aircraft Information
The Diamond D 40 NG, registration OH-DTF, serial number 40.N423, was owned by the PATRIA flight school. Its empty weight was 795 kg, maximum takeoff weight 1310 kg. The aircraft was equipped with an Austro Engines GmbH Austro Engine E-4A and an MT-Propeller MTV-6-R/190-69. It had a valid certificate of airworthiness and had undergone its last 100-hour maintenance inspection on 9 December 2019, at 282:45 hours on both airframe and engine.
Meteorological Information
Meteorological conditions were not considered relevant to the investigation.
Aerodrome Information
Córdoba Airport (LEBA) is located at 37°50'31"N, 4°50'56"W, elevation 94 m (307 ft). It has a single asphalt runway (03/21), 2241 m long and 45 m wide. Runway 21 has a displaced threshold. The airport is used by light aircraft under VFR and is categorized as a 3C airport.
Causes
The investigation determined that the accident was caused by an improperly executed landing maneuver.