What happened
On February 3, 2015, a Cessna 152, registration PR-LMB, was performing a local flight instruction mission (PS-04) at the Lauro Carne after a takeoff from the Aeródromo Lauro Carneiro de Loyola in Joinville, Brazil. The aircraft was occupied by an instructor and a student pilot undergoing Private Pilot training.
During the landing phase of the flight, the aircraft experienced a hard landing, which resulted in the collapse of the nose landing gear. The impact caused substantial damage to the engine, propeller, nose gear, exhaust system, and cowling. Both occupants of the aircraft escaped the incident without injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the student pilot was the one performing the landing maneuver. According to the flight school's training manual (MCA 58-3), the specific mission profile (PS-04) required the student to have sufficient information and memorized procedures to begin dual-command training; however, the investigation found that the student lacked the necessary experience and proficiency to execute the maneuver independently. Under the established training protocols, the landing should have been performed by the instructor, with the student observing.
Furthermore, the investigation identified several administrative and supervisory discrepancies. Evaluation forms for previous flight missions lacked the required signatures from the instructor, student, and course coordinator, and the coordinator's feedback field remained uncompleted. Additionally, the maintenance logs for the airframe, engine, and propeller were outdated, with records only current up to 2013, despite the accident occurring in 2015.
Findings
- Lack of student proficiency to perform the landing maneuver independently.
- Improper application of flight controls during the landing phase.
- Inadequate pilot judgment.
- Deficiencies in flight instruction oversight.
- Ineffective management supervision regarding training records and maintenance documentation.