What happened
On April 1, 2009, a CAP-4 aircraft, registration PP-DLF, was conducting a local instructional flight at the Sorocaba Aerodrome (SDCO) in Brazil. The flight, operated by Aeroclube de Sorocaba, involved an instructor and a student pilot performing touch-and-go training on runway 18.
During the final circuit, the pilot executed a short landing and immediately initiated a go-around. The intent was to utilize the remaining runway length to practice a low-altitude engine failure emergency maneuver. However, during the rotation phase, while the engine power was reduced to simulate the emergency, the aircraft struck the ground with significant force. This hard landing caused the right main landing gear attachment arm to break, forcing the aircraft to veer off the right side of the runway. Both occupants of the aircraft escaped without injury, though the aircraft sustained serious damage to the landing gear and minor damage to the right wing tip.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the sequence of maneuvers and the organizational environment of the flight school. Investigators examined the meteorological conditions, noting that while visibility was good, light turbulence and thermal updrafts were present. These atmospheric conditions caused the aircraft to gain altitude without a corresponding increase in airspeed, creating a flight profile different from what the instructor had anticipated for the emergency simulation.
The investigation also scrutinized the human and organizational factors. It was noted that the flight was conducted without a formal pre-flight briefing to detail the specific maneuvers. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the communication dynamics between the instructor and the student, as well as the broader safety culture within the aeroclub, which was characterized by high levels of informality.
Findings
- Improper application of controls led to the aircraft striking the runway with excessive force.
- Inadequate flight planning occurred because no briefing was conducted to detail the intended maneuvers, which increased the pilots' reaction time during the unexpected transition to the simulated emergency.
- Lack of coordination between the instructor and student was evident, as the instructor performed an unexpected go-around and simulated failure that caught the crew off guard.
- Organizational culture at the aeroclub contributed to the accident, as an informal environment led to a lack of standardized training procedures, insufficient supervision, and a lack of effective flight safety oversight.
- Psychological factors, including the student's anxiety due to an upcoming check-ride and the instructor's delayed intervention, further complicated the execution of the maneuver.