What happened
On September 23, 2016, an Aero Boero AB-115, registration PP-GPM, was conducting a local instructional flight from the Ponta Grossa Aerodrome (SSZW) in Paraná, Brazil. During the landing phase on runway 26, the aircraft was on a high approach. To correct the glide path, the instructor deployed 45 degrees of flaps; however, the aircraft remained on a high slope. Consequently, the instructor decided to reduce engine power to zero just before the flare.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft yawed to the left and descended rapidly. The instructor attempted to apply power to correct the descent, but the aircraft touched down misaligned and abruptly. As the aircraft traveled along the runway, it initially veered left. In an attempt to correct the direction, the instructor applied heavy right brake and rudder. This sudden input caused a sharp yaw to the right, resulting in the left wing striking the ground and the failure of the main landing gear. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, though both occupants remained uninjured.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation focused on the flight sequence and the interaction between the instructor and the student. Investigators examined the flight controls, the aircraft's maintenance records, and the crew's performance. The investigation revealed that the pilots held valid medical certificates and licenses, and the aircraft was airworthy and within weight and balance limits.
Investigators also analyzed the crew's performance, noting that during the critical moments of the landing, the crew could not clearly identify who was in control, reacting instead by reflex. The investigation found that the instructor's verbal instructions were not being followed by the student, forcing the instructor to take manual control of the aircraft's inputs.
Findings
- Inadequate use of flight controls during the landing phase.
- Deficient cockpit coordination and communication between the instructor and the student.
- Poor crew resource management (CRM), characterized by a lack of clear task definition and a breakdown in crew dynamics.
- Errors in pilot judgment, specifically regarding the student's failure to maintain the glide path and the instructor's failure to intervene before the situation became unsafe.
- Improper application of rudder and braking during the ground roll, which directly caused the wing strike.
Safety action
It is recommended that the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) work with the Ponta Grossa Aero Club to ensure CRM training is implemented for crew members. This is intended to mitigate operational risks stemming from communication failures, lack of assertiveness, or ambiguity in flight task assignments.