What happened
On June 29, 2011, a Neiva 56-C, registration PP-GXB, was performing a solo instructional flight at the Arthur Siqueira State Aerodrome (SBBP) in Bragan and Paulista, Brazil. During the landing phase of a standard traffic pattern, the student pilot experienced a bounced landing.
In an attempt to correct the situation, the pilot increased power and relieved back pressure on the control column; however, this resulted in a continuous porpoising motion. The aircraft subsequently lost control, veered off the left side of the runway, and struck a drainage ditch, which caused the aircraft to capsize. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but the student pilot was uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation by CENIPA focused on the student pilot's training history and the flight's technical execution. Investigators found that while the aircraft was airworthy and the weather conditions were favorable, the student pilot had a documented history of significant difficulty with landing maneuvers. Specifically, 90% of the student's flight training records showed a "deficient" rating (grade 2) for landing-related tasks.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed a breakdown in instructional oversight. Instructors at the aero club were not consistently reviewing the students' most recent practical evaluation forms to identify and correct recurring learning gaps. Although the student had recently received a "satisfactory" rating in the flight that authorized the solo operation, previous flights had required significant instructor intervention due to poor landing technique and failure to maintain runway alignment.
Findings
- The primary cause of the bounced landing was likely a combination of excessive airspeed and a steep approach angle.
- Inadequate training oversight and a failure to properly evaluate the student's recent performance history contributed to the student being cleared for solo flight despite persistent landing deficiencies.
- The student pilot's lack of experience and ineffective corrective inputs during the porpoising motion led to the loss of directional control.
- Ineffective managerial supervision regarding the review of student progress records was a contributing factor.