What happened
On March 12, 2015, a Neiva 56-C, registration PP-GSY, was conducting a local instructional flight at the Araras Aerodrome in São Paulo, Brazil. The crew, consisting of an instructor and a student, was performing maneuvers under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in favorable meteorological conditions. During the landing sequence, the student pilot elected to use runway 12, which resulted in operating with a tailwind component from a 320-degree wind at 8 knots.
After making two touchdowns on the runway, the aircraft's right wing collided with the runway surface. In an attempt to recover, the instructor applied power to initiate a go-around; however, the instructor did not take control of the aircraft or communicate the intention to the student. The crew was unable to regain control, causing the aircraft to veer right and strike an uneven patch of terrain approximately 70 meters from the side of the runway. The impact caused substantial damage to the propeller, landing gear, forward fuselage, and wings. Both occupants sustained light injuries.
The investigation
The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's weight and balance were within manufacturer limits and all required airworthiness documentation was up to date. The instructor held a valid license, and both crew members possessed valid medical certificates. The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the landing and the lack of effective cockpit coordination during the attempted go-around.
Findings
- Improper application of flight controls during the critical phase of landing.
- Lack of effective cockpit coordination between the instructor and the student.
- Errors in pilot judgment regarding the landing configuration and wind conditions.
- Limited experience of the pilot in managing the aircraft during a tailwind landing and subsequent go-around attempt.