What happened
On September 8, 2016, an Aero Boero AB-115, registration PP-FGD, was conducting a private pilot training flight at the Cruz Alta Aerodrome (SSAK) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The flight, operated by Aeroclube de Cruz Alta, included an instructor and a student pilot. After completing maneuvers in the training area, the crew returned to the airfield to perform takeoff and landing practice.
During the first landing attempt, the student pilot performed a high flare, leading to a loss of lift. The instructor was unable to intervene and take control in time to correct the error. Consequently, the aircraft struck the runway with excessive force, causing the right main landing gear suspension component to break at the weld. This mechanical failure caused the aircraft to veer to the right and exit the side of the runway. Both occupants escaped the incident without injury, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed several critical operational and infrastructural issues. Investigators found that the aircraft was operating above its maximum allowable weight; the calculated weight was approximately 773 kg, exceeding the manufacturer's limit of 770 kg.
The investigation also scrutinized the airfield's infrastructure, noting that the runway's longitudinal slope (up to 3.70% in certain sections) exceeded the 2% limit established by ICAO and RBAC 154 for runways of that length. This steep gradient may have interfered with the student's perception of the flare. Furthermore, the investigation highlighted deficiencies in flight instruction management, noting that the student had a history of repetitive errors and poor performance in recent missions, which were not adequately monitored or addressed by the flight school's instruction coordinator.