What happened
On September 28, 2015, a Cessna 152 was conducting a flight training mission consisting of touch-and-go maneuvers. The flight originated from Marechal Rondon International Airport (SBCY) in Cuiabá, MT, destined for the Santo Antônio do Leverger Aerodrome (SWLV). The crew consisted of an instructor and a student pilot.
During the third landing on runway 18 at SWLV, the aircraft lost directional control immediately after touchdown. The aircraft veered to the right, causing the wing to strike a tree. The momentum caused the aircraft to spin on its vertical axis and impact further obstacles located alongside the runway. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft's structure. Both occupants of the aircraft emerged uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical condition and the operational environment. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft, registration PT-PRA, was airworthy, with valid maintenance logs for the engine, propeller, and airframe. Testing conducted at an ANAC-approved workshop confirmed that the braking system was functioning normally.
Environmental conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for VFR operations, with calm winds and a dry, unobstructed runway. The investigation also verified that both the instructor and the student held valid medical certificates and that the instructor held a valid flight instructor rating.
Findings
- The aircraft veered right during the landing roll.
- The student pilot's lack of experience contributed to the loss of directional control.
- The instructor's delay in correcting the deviation prevented the aircraft from remaining on the paved surface.
- Ineffective application of control inputs and errors in the decision-making process were identified as contributing factors.