What happened
On December 17, 2015, at approximately 21:30 UTC, a Neiva 56-C, registration PP-HLH, was conducting a flight training mission consisting of touch-and-go maneuvers at the Aeroclube de Itápolis (SDIO) in São Paulo, Brazil. The flight was being conducted by a student pilot under the supervision of an instructor who was monitoring the flight from the ground using a portable VHF radio.
During the training session, weather conditions began to degrade rapidly. The instructor initially instructed the student pilot to remain in the traffic pattern to wait for improvement. However, as the weather continued to worsen, the instructor directed the student to proceed with the final approach. During the landing phase, the aircraft encountered wind conditions associated with a nearby Cumulonimbus (CB) formation. The student pilot lost control of the aircraft, causing it to veer off the right side of the runway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but the pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation established that the aircraft was properly maintained, with valid airworthiness certificates and up-to-date engine and propeller records. The weight and balance were within manufacturer limits, and the runway conditions were satisfactory.
Investigators noted that while the instructor was monitoring the flight, they had limited visibility of the aerodrome's windsock. The investigation also highlighted a lack of identified risk management protocols for solo student flights and the absence of a contingency plan for situations where the local aerodrome becomes unusable. Furthermore, the presence of Cumulonimbus clouds, which are known to occur at that time of day, was not factored into the decision to authorize the solo flight.
Findings
- Inexperience of the pilot in managing the aircraft during high-workload weather transitions.
- Inadequate application of flight controls to counteract wind effects during the landing.
- Organizational and supervisory deficiencies regarding the management of student solo flight operations.
- Lack of risk management and contingency planning for deteriorating meteorological conditions.
Safety action
It is recommended that the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) work with the Aeroclube de Itápolis to improve flight instruction processes. This includes ensuring better monitoring of student performance and establishing clearer criteria for authorizing solo flight operations.