What happened
On July 3, 2021, a Neiva 56-C (registration PP-GSV) was conducting a local flight instruction mission at the Aeródromo Estadual de Campos dos Amarais (SDAM) in Campinas, Brazil. The flight, operated by Aeroclube de Campinas, carried an instructor and a student pilot performing touch-and-go landing (TGL) training.
During the second landing attempt of the sequence, the aircraft touched the ground misaligned. The aircraft veered off the right side of the runway and entered the grassy area used for fuel truck maneuvering. In an attempt to avoid a collision with nearby structures and a fuel truck, the instructor applied full power for a go-around and executed a sharp right turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft's right landing gear collapsed. The aircraft came to a stop approximately 3 meters from a parked fuel truck. Both occupants of the aircraft were unharmed, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the flight records, maintenance logs, and the coordination between the crew. The investigation confirmed that the instructor was fully qualified with a valid commercial pilot license and flight instructor rating. The student pilot was in the process of obtaining a private pilot license, though the investigation noted a significant gap in his training timeline, with flight sessions spread sporadically between 2015 and 2021.
Regarding the aircraft, the 56-C was found to be airworthy, with valid maintenance records and a current airworthiness certificate. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for flight. Investigators also looked into the possibility of a control jam reported by the instructor; however, no evidence of mechanical failure or jammed controls was found in the aircraft's systems.
Findings
- Inadequate crew coordination: A conflict in control inputs occurred between the instructor and the student during the landing phase.
- Improper decision-making: The decision to attempt a go-around after the aircraft had already left the runway surface increased the risk of instability and collision.
- Lack of continuity in training: The student's intermittent training schedule contributed to insufficient proficiency for the maneuver.
- Pilot judgment: The instructor's attempt to execute a sudden turn to avoid obstacles, while intended to prevent a collision, led to the structural failure of the landing gear.
Safety action
It is recommended that the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) work with the flight school to ensure that flight instructors are meeting the required competencies regarding Threat and Error Management (TEM) and Crew Resource Management (CRM) as established in the instructional manuals.