What happened
On April 21, 2016, an EMB-712 aircraft, registration PT-NYU, was performing instructional touch-and-go maneuvers at Aeroclube de Flores in Manaus, Brazil. The flight was part of a Private Pilot License training program. Following nine successful circuits under the supervision of an instructor, the instructor determined the student was ready for a solo flight and disembarked to observe from the taxiway.
During the student's first solo circuit, the aircraft landed on the left side of runway 11. In an attempt to center the aircraft on the runway, the student applied excessive rudder input, causing the aircraft to veer toward the right side of the runway. A subsequent corrective rudder input in the opposite direction was also excessive, leading to a loss of control. The aircraft exited the left side of the runway and struck a depression between the taxiway and the grass, causing the nose gear to collapse and resulting in damage to the engine and propeller.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the student's training history and the transition between aircraft types. The student had previously completed significant training in a Cessna 152, a high-wing aircraft known for its inherent stability. However, there was a two-month gap in training between the student's departure from Curitiba and the resumption of flight lessons in Manaus.
Upon resuming training, the student transitioned to the EMB-712, a low-wing aircraft. Unlike the Cessna 152, the low-wing design of the EMB-712 offers greater agility but requires higher pilot proficiency to manage flight controls effectively. The investigation found that the student had only accumulated six hours and 31 landings in this specific model prior to the accident. Furthermore, investigators noted a lack of formal debriefing following the dual-instruction session and a lack of specific briefing for the solo mission.
Findings
- Excessive rudder application during the landing roll led to the loss of directional control.
- The student's limited experience with the low-wing characteristics of the EMB-712 contributed to the error.
- Inadequate management of the training transition, specifically the gap in instruction and the change in aircraft type, left the student's proficiency levels unaddressed.
- Deficiencies in the instructional process, including the absence of proper debriefing and solo flight briefing, were identified as contributing factors.