What happened
On August 21, 2012, an Aero Boero AB-115, registration PP-GGR, was conducting a local flight instruction session for a private pilot student. The flight originated from the Aeroclube de Ponta Grossa in Paraná, Brazil. During the execution of a simulated engine failure maneuver at low altitude, the aircraft entered a stall and subsequently lost control. The aircraft struck the ground at a steep angle of approximately 70 degrees. The impact resulted in fatal injuries to the instructor and serious injuries to the student. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and flight records, noting that the aircraft's impact characteristics—specifically the deformation of the left main gear and the left wing leading edge—suggested a left-hand spin entry. The investigation found that the flap lever was positioned at 15 degrees deflection, indicating that the flaps had not been fully retracted during the maneuver.
Investigators also reviewed the organizational environment of the flight school. They found that the instructor had recently obtained his flight instructor rating only one month prior to the accident and had been teaching for a very short period. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's weight and balance records had not been updated following recent maintenance, and the instructor was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the impact, which contributed to the severity of his injuries.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of control during a go-around following a simulated engine failure, likely triggered by an aerodynamic stall.
- The instructor had very limited experience in the aircraft type and had recently transitioned to the instructor role.
- Organizational deficiencies at the flight school included a lack of formal communication channels, inadequate supervision of flight instructors, and a lack of standardized procedures for flight instruction.
- The aircraft may have been operating above its maximum takeoff weight, and the failure to fully retract the flaps during the maneuver likely hindered recovery.
- A lack of management oversight resulted in a failure to monitor instructor performance and a lack of adherence to basic safety principles, such as the use of seatbelates.