What happened
On September 14, 2009, a Cessna 152, registration OB-1830, departed from Lib Mandy Aerodrome in Chilca, Peru, for a solo flight intended for takeoff and landing practice. The pilot, a private pilot trainee, had completed 15 successive landings and departures. During the approach for the 16th landing, the tower notified the pilot of a 10-knot wind from 240 degrees.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft experienced a bounce. During the subsequent impact, the nose gear struck the runway, causing the propeller blades to strike the ground. The nose gear subsequently failed, and the aircraft slid approximately 53 meters along the runway. The pilot sustained minor injuries and remained trapped in the cockpit until rescue personnel arrived.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation examined the flight sequence, the pilot's training status, and the operational environment at the aerodrome. The investigation noted that the pilot was performing solo flight maneuvers as part of a flight school program aimed at obtaining a commercial pilot license. The investigation also reviewed the maintenance records of the Cessna 152, finding the aircraft's 100-hour inspection had been completed recently, and verified that the aircraft was within its weight and balance limits.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's inadequate recovery of aircraft control following a landing bounce, resulting from a progressive loss of situational awareness.
- The pilot had been performing repetitive, high-risk maneuvers for an extended period, which contributed to fatigue and loss of situational awareness.
- There was a lack of adequate flight planning regarding the specific maneuvers to be performed during solo training flights.
- The flight school lacked sufficient operational control, as solo flight programs did not require a structured syllabus for specific maneuvers.
- The aerodrome's air traffic control personnel lacked the necessary certification and knowledge of emergency procedures.