What happened
On March 24, 2017, a Neiva 56-C-1, registration PP-HPA, was conducting a local flight instruction mission for a private pilot student. The flight originated from Aeródromo Estadual Arthur Sique_ira (SBBP) in Bragança Paulista, SP, and proceeded to the Atibaia Aerodrome (SDTB) for touch-and-go training.
During one of the landing sequences, following the touchdown and while still on the landing roll, the aircraft began to yaw to the right. As the aircraft drifted toward the edge of the runway, the instructor attempted to take control of the aircraft. However, the student pilot continued to apply left rudder pressure despite the instructor's intervention. This resulted in a sharp change in heading, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway and strike a perimeter fence approximately 460 meters from the touchdown point. The impact caused the propeller blades to strike the ground, leading to an abrupt engine stoppage and substantial damage to the engine cowling, landing gear, right wing, and fuselage underside.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation confirmed that both the instructor and the student pilot held valid medical certificates and the instructor possessed the necessary flight instructor ratings. The aircraft was found to be airworthy, with all maintenance logs up to date, and was operating within proper weight and balance limits. Meteorological conditions were favorable, with calm winds at the time of the occurrence.
Investigators focused on the cockpit dynamics during the critical moments of the landing roll. It was established that although the instructor attempted to intervene by announcing "it is with me" (taking control), the student's continued application of the left rudder pedal caused the sudden deviation from the runway centerline.
Findings
- Improper control inputs by the student pilot during the landing roll.
- Lack of cockpit coordination between the instructor and the student during a critical phase of flight.